Essential Traits of a Well-Educated Individual
In today's world, the term 'educated man' is not confined to formal schooling alone. It encompasses a broader spectrum of qualities that make an individual curious, engaging, and open-minded. One of the most iconic examples of such a man was Abraham Lincoln, who, despite having only a year of formal education, was renowned for his vast knowledge and ability to entertain others.
According to Commander Edward Whitehead's book "How to Live the Good Life," an educated man is defined as one who can entertain himself, another, and a new idea. Lincoln, with his voracious reading and dedication to lifelong learning, certainly fit this description. He was the life of the party, keeping conversations lively with his unfailing engagement and wide-ranging knowledge. One observer even compared him to a professor at Yale.
Lincoln's conversations were not just about regurgitating facts, but about sharing his fascination with the world around him and other people. He spoke about the wonders of the universe, including the mystery of distant worlds, the beauty of the night sky, and scientific discoveries. His ability to entertain and instruct was admired by many.
But what sets an educated man apart is not just his knowledge, but his ability to entertain new ideas. This does not mean accepting every new idea that comes along, but rather inviting it in for a conversation and getting to know it. Lincoln, with his open-mindedness, was known for his willingness to consider new perspectives and change his opinions when presented with compelling evidence.
An educated man is also characterized by his varied experiences and studies, which give him multiple opportunities to see how new ideas have changed his opinions. He is aware of the irrational ways that our unconscious minds shape our thoughts, beliefs, and motivations, and makes a conscious effort to turn off this security system and consider new ideas.
The educated man has an arsenal of interesting tales at the ready about his travels and endeavors. No matter the demographics of the group he's with, he knows a story that will appeal to them. He is up-to-date with the latest news stories and interesting scientific breakthroughs.
On the other hand, a sheltered man who only interacts with people just like him and only reads things that confirm his preconceived ideas will not have these experiences to draw upon, and will thus greet all new ideas with suspicion.
In conclusion, an educated man is not just someone with a wealth of knowledge, but someone who is curious, engaging, open-minded, and able to entertain new ideas. He is the man who keeps the conversation lively and is known to be unfailingly engaging. Lincoln, despite his limited formal education, was a prime example of such a man, and his legacy continues to inspire us today.
Abraham Lincoln, with his vast knowledge and ability to entertain others, was a prime example of the educated man described in Commander Edward Whitehead's book. He was unfailingly engaging in conversations, sharing his fascination with the world and instructing others. His openness to new ideas was highly admired.
An educated man is not only knowledgeable but also able to entertain new ideas, inviting them in for a conversation and considering them thoughtfully. Lincoln, with his open-mindedness, was known for his willingness to change his opinions when presented with compelling evidence.
The educated man's varied experiences and studies give him a wealth of interesting tales to share about his travels and endeavors, allowing him to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. Lincoln's legacy inspires us today as an iconic example of such a man.
Conversely, a sheltered man who only interacts with people like himself and only reads things that confirm his preconceived ideas will not have the experiences necessary to entertain new ideas, making him less engaging in conversation and less open to personal growth.
