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Regarding reflections on learning, education, and alienation, would I still be like this if I had pondered earlier?

alienation of labor alienation of learning alienation of education natural needs academic development
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Regarding reflections on learning, education, and alienation, would I still be like this if I had pondered earlier? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

If I had known about the concept of "alienation of labor" from "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844" on the first day of my reading and understood the ideas of "alienation of learning" and "alienation of education" from it, how would my academic development be now?

If it were not for survival, workers would shun labor as they would shun a plague. Labor, a natural need, has been "alienated" into a means of earning a living. This is what we call "alienation of labor." Then, can "alienation of learning" and "alienation of education" also be understood as the natural needs of "learning" and "education" being "alienated" into tools for exams, advancement, job hunting, and achieving "certain goals"? If it were not for advancing in education, if it were not for exams, if it were not for job hunting, if it were not for striving to rise above others or to transcend social classes, would you still be willing to learn? Would you still be willing to study these things? If I had thought about these things earlier, would I still be like this now?

Stella Bailey Stella Bailey A total of 3727 people have been helped

Hello. I'm happy to answer your question. I hope my suggestions help.

Maybe we all want to go back in time with our memories.

We've all wished we'd learned something sooner. Would my life be different if I'd known more, done things differently, or started a new career earlier?

There's no "if" in this world.

But if something really happens, we may not change.

My knowledge has to be built up bit by bit. If I had started with criminal psychology, would I have liked it? No, because I first had to learn about psychology. If I had learned about criminal psychology first, I might not have liked it. So how can I talk about what if?

We now think about many things. We know about pedagogy, sociology, political science, economics, and philosophy. We even know about high school, junior high school, and elementary school. But we don't understand them.

We also read Mr. Lu Xun's articles and Li Bai's poems when we were young. But in elementary school, we just had to memorize them and didn't understand the words.

But when we have more knowledge and experience, we can understand these words and books better.

When we imagine this, it means we've grown. We can also discover our thoughts, preferences, and strengths. Every step is never too late. It should happen now.

I am me, and we are us.

If any of these things happen, there will be a ripple effect. Once there is a change, we might not be us anymore.

The present us is the best we can be, and the future us will be even better.

I hope we can become better through self-awareness and improvement.

I love you, world!

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Edison Edison A total of 9839 people have been helped

Hello!

If I had only known about "learning alienation" and "educational alienation" earlier, I might have made a different choice about whether or not to continue studying. If I had thought about these things earlier, I might be a different person today.

Let's work through these questions together, OK?

Let's start with "learning." It's amazing to think that from the moment we're born, we already have the ability to survive. Our ancestors passed this down to us through learning, and it's still in our genes! For example, when we're hungry, we want to eat, and when we're uncomfortable, we cry. From the very start, we're learning without even realizing it. Developmental psychology shows us that humans begin to learn on their own by imitating. They imitate the language of their parents and the people around them, and before they know it, they're learning and mastering some skills that meet their physical and psychological needs!

The other part is something I like to call "acquired learning." It's the "education" part. All the things we learn in primary, middle, high school, and university are the essence of thousands of years of inheritance and the changes of the times. They're also the skills that enable human development and enable each individual to adapt to the environment and survive.

The wonderful thing about learning is that it helps us to think in new ways. And the more we learn, the better we get at learning! So, in the future, we'll still have people who can't read or write, but we'll also have people who can't learn.

By the time you reach high school, your logical thinking skills will have gradually increased, and they will basically be perfected by the time you graduate from university.

Logical thinking helps our brains to reason more effectively. We learn to analyse problems and solve them from different angles and levels, avoiding black and white and looking at problems from a broader perspective. From this point of view, I think the answer to your question is clear.

That is, there may be some areas for improvement in learning and education, but this doesn't mean that the importance of learning and education can be denied. It's totally normal to have areas that could be better, and they show that learning and education can continue to grow and develop.

Just as with the knowledge you've gained, some of it might have an immediate impact, some might be used in other ways without you even noticing, and some might not have an effect for the time being.

Learning is a wonderful process of continuous repetition of theory and practice. You are now in a process of verification and thinking. You can use what you have learned before as a basis for your learning, and find the content you need to learn now.

I really think you'll find that if you change "reflection before decision-making" to "building on previous knowledge," your perspective will become more comprehensive and rational. And it also means that you have grown!

I really hope it helps!

Wishing you all the best!

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Rosalie Martinez Rosalie Martinez A total of 5455 people have been helped

Good day. I extend to you my utmost support and encouragement.

This is an intriguing subject. I consistently engaged in independent study of sociology, psychology, and philosophy.

It is advisable to avoid reading at an early age, particularly in the field of philosophy. It is also important to avoid reading too deeply or too early, as this can lead to a lack of sufficient experience and knowledge, which may result in a cynical outlook or an over-simplified understanding of complex concepts, potentially leading to a sense of meaninglessness.

The act of reading requires a certain degree of opportunity and experience. Some books have a threshold level of complexity that must be overcome before they can be read.

It is often said that if one does not read Water Margin during one's youth, one will be unable to appreciate Romance of the Three Kingdoms in one's old age. When one is young and reads Water Margin, it is not uncommon to experience feelings of conflict, cynicism, and disillusionment.

Upon rereading Shui Hu in later years, one may perceive a sense of helplessness and the insignificance of humanity.

From the description of your question, it can be inferred that you are a student, probably a university student. If you were to read "The Manuscript of 1844 on the Philosophy of Economics" on the first day of school, it would be unreasonable to expect you to read such a challenging text on that occasion. It would be more appropriate for you to encounter such books at a later stage of your academic career.

Individuals over the age of 40 who read "The Philosophy of Economics 1844" may encounter different problems and may even find themselves unable to ask "why" and "what for."

As a student, you began to contemplate the issue of alienation and read the original text, which I consider to have been somewhat premature. My recollection is that universities taught Marxist philosophy, scientific socialism, and political economy, but did not require students to read the original works. Instead, they were assigned adaptations that were more moderate, more aligned with the knowledge and experience of college students, and more reflective of the prevailing national context.

It was only at the postgraduate level that the original works were read. For college students who had grown up in a more liberal environment with greater autonomy, the impact was sometimes too strong.

Mr. Xu Kaiwen of Peking University once proposed the concept of "hollow disease," which refers to young people entering university who are unable to discern the meaning of their studies and lives. This phenomenon is indicative of a lack of a sense of meaning, which can be understood as a disease of the times. It is a problem that emerges when society has reached a certain stage of development and individuals are freer and more materially abundant.

In essence, the fundamental questions that must be asked are: Why do I study? Why do I work? What am I studying for? And, moreover, do I work to be a 9-to-5 worker?

One might even inquire whether such a narrow definition of humanity is truly accurate. My response to this is an unequivocal "yes." However, the utilization of tools is not a defining characteristic of our species. Rather, it is a means of ensuring the freedom to transcend the limitations of tool-use.

As tools, we possess the capacity to refrain from acting as tools. It can be argued that we have spent decades of our lives conceptualizing ourselves as tools, engaging in work, earning income, supporting our families, and raising our children. Following retirement, we are afforded the financial and temporal resources to pursue our interests or engage in activities that align with our personal values.

The ability to read and work at one's own discretion allows individuals to pursue activities that align with their personal interests and goals, ultimately serving the self-interest of the individual.

The concept of alienation is a fundamental tenet of political and economic theory. It describes the process by which surplus value is disguised as operating profit, labor is transformed into a commodity, and working people are reduced to mere slaves of the capitalist class, functioning as mere machines that merely operate. In essence, alienation encompasses the following key aspects: the alienation of the product of labor and the laborer, the alienation of the production process and the laborer, the essence of humanity and the alienation of the person, and the alienation of relationships between people.

In essence, individuals become tools. They are utilized as such by others, and they also employ others as tools.

Teachers serve as conduits of knowledge, imparting information and guidance, before becoming both educators and companions.

As individuals, it may be challenging to acknowledge the notion that we are all tools, yet it is a reality that many of us internalize. When engaging in any activity, it is crucial to consider the underlying motivation and anticipated benefit. For instance, when reading a book, it is important to ask whether it will directly or indirectly enhance one's financial gain.

The question thus arises as to whether the book will assist in achieving better grades or facilitate graduation.

However, it is uncommon to inquire whether a given book will bring happiness. There is a perception that these more intangible benefits are a waste of time.

It is commonly asserted that prior to retirement, individuals will assume the role of a tool person, whereas after retirement, they will become a free person. However, it is possible to devote a portion of one's time to the role of a tool person while simultaneously engaging in activities that align with the role of a free person.

Similarly, the purpose of attending class is to prepare for examinations and to secure gainful employment in the future. Consequently, it is possible to read books of one's own choosing during the intervals between classes.

Regardless of the time of day or the task at hand, dedication is essential. Classroom attendance and academic rigor are both crucial.

When we are able to be present, we are able to find a sense of accomplishment and our own value in a role that is somewhat akin to that of a tool person. The success of others and crossing social classes are all by-products.

In the absence of further education or examination requirements, I would prefer to engage in more reading and study, as this would allow me to pursue my own interests and gain a deeper understanding of the subjects that appeal to me most.

It is recommended that you consult with a counselor. Additionally, you may benefit from reading more books on the subject and engaging in further reflection.

I am frequently both a Buddhist and a pessimist, an intermittently optimistic and driven counselor, and I embrace the world and its possibilities.

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Silas Anderson Silas Anderson A total of 8026 people have been helped

Hello! I'll give you a hug.

I'm glad I saw your request for help. I hope my sharing helps. From your description, I can tell you feel bad about what happened.

Everyone feels remorse, helplessness, and regret. You have the awareness you do today because you have been growing. Praise yourself for being such a person.

What do you think?

Every choice you make now is the best you can make with your current knowledge. You are so critical of yourself today because your evaluation is based on your current knowledge.

People are connected to things. Our connection with things depends on our awareness. Awareness is the best place to start.

Accept yourself.

We cannot deny our past efforts and sacrifices because of our current understanding. Without them, we would not have the awareness and understanding we have today.

Learning is a continuous process. It rewards us with delayed gratification. We need to be curious and open-minded to learn. Especially when we don't know much, we need to learn in many ways. When we know enough, our thinking changes.

Be aware of how this incident has inspired you. Learn to make yourself more satisfied with your decisions and choices in every moment. This is continuous self-learning, self-improvement, and self-growth. What do you think?

Read How People Learn.

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Alexandra Claire Hart-Turner Alexandra Claire Hart-Turner A total of 3039 people have been helped

Hello, I am the Heart Exploration Coach, Gu Daoxifeng.

After reading the questioner's description, I was reminded of a saying my father once told me: My father said that my grandfather once told him something, and he could never understand why my grandfather said it. But when he reached the age my grandfather was at the time, he suddenly felt that he understood and it was very profound.

We often say that we won't turn back until we hit a wall. Think about adolescence. No matter what our parents said at the time, we knew they weren't telling us what was best for us. They told us not to fall in love too early and to study hard. But when we stubbornly gave up studying and insisted on falling in love early, we may regret our initial insistence when we enter society.

It is possible to read a great deal of truth without being able to live a good life. This is because knowing is not the same as practising. Some things require experience to understand deeply. The present is the most appropriate time. There is no need for the questioner to regret that he had his epiphany late. If it had happened earlier, we may not have been able to internalise and absorb it.

Maslow identified five levels of human needs: physiological, safety, social, respect, and self-actualization. When we are at the lowest level of the hierarchy of needs, it is challenging to consider higher-level needs. At the lowest level, happiness and development needs are also very weak, and we are forced to face the pressure of life, which makes people feel tired.

Love makes people shine. If you are confused about the present, ask yourself, "Are you doing what you like?" If the answer is no, you will have a hard time finding enthusiasm for learning. Find what you love and you will find more enthusiasm and strength.

Some people find their passion in dedication (e.g., Lei Feng, Flying from the Sky), while others find theirs in ideals (e.g., Qian Xuesen). There are many things worth working hard for, apart from survival. The questioner should become aware of what they like to do.

The present is the best arrangement, full stop. When our thinking has not reached a certain stage, we may have read some truth but not internalized it. It is like an outsider looking at the excitement and an insider looking at the door. Only when we have accumulated a certain amount can we make more professional thinking and growth iterations.

When there is a big gap between our real self and our ideal self, it can make people feel very uncomfortable. The questioner must reconcile with their own self, accept their current situation, and they will feel more at ease and move forward more easily.

Read Lifelong Growth!

Best regards!

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Urban Urban A total of 1383 people have been helped

First, we must understand that the "alienation of labor," "alienation of learning," and "alienation of education" are complex concepts that reflect the relationship between individuals, labor, learning, and education in modern society.

If you think this way at the start of your studies, your learning journey will be different. You will be more interested in learning itself, not just a way to get somewhere.

Learning is no longer about exams, getting into university, or finding a job. It's about satisfying your thirst for knowledge and curiosity.

You will want to learn more about different subjects and find the value in them. You will focus on developing your thinking and creativity, not just on getting good grades.

This attitude toward learning makes you a true learner, not a victim of exam-oriented education.

You will also think more about the education system and social expectations. You will see that education is not just about sharing knowledge. It is also about shaping values and teaching people to take responsibility.

You will start to focus on the value of education, not just on achievements and honors. You may help improve education.

But this raises a practical question: can we avoid being influenced by external factors? After all, we are affected by society, family, and school.

These factors often make us lose sight of our original intentions in learning and education.

The key is to think for ourselves and make our own choices. If we understand what we want from learning and education, and stick to our values, we can adapt to changes in the environment.

We can always change and improve ourselves. We can't change the past, but we can start now and try to break free from "learning alienation" and "educational alienation."

Reading, thinking, and practicing can help us become more independent, autonomous, and valuable.

We should also think about how this question is useful in real life.

It reminds us to focus on learning's core value and not be influenced by external factors. It encourages us to pursue our dreams and not be limited by social expectations.

We can start acting now. We can re-examine our attitude and approach to learning and contribute to creating a better, fairer, and more harmonious society.

We should think about how it can help us in our lives. Through thinking and practice, we can move away from the idea that learning and education are separate from our lives.

We must also keep learning and improving to meet future challenges and opportunities.

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Comments

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Isaac Miller Life is a mirror of your actions and attitudes.

If I had grasped the concept of "alienation of labor" early on, my academic path might have been more introspective, questioning the motivations behind each assignment and exam, striving to reconnect learning with personal fulfillment rather than external validation.

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Andrew Anderson The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.

Understanding "alienation of learning" as a student, I would have sought ways to make education meaningful beyond grades and career prospects. Perhaps this awareness could have led me to design a personalized curriculum that aligns with my intrinsic interests and passions, transforming study into an act of selfexpression.

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Justin Anderson Learning is a path of continuous evolution.

Reflecting on these ideas earlier, I might have approached education with a critical eye, aiming to balance societal expectations with my authentic desires. This balance could have enriched my academic experience, making learning a joyful pursuit instead of a chore driven by necessity.

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Selene Thomas Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.

Had I pondered the alienation concepts sooner, I may have navigated my educational journey differently, focusing on the development of wisdom and character over credentials. The realization could have prompted me to question the very structure of education, inspiring a lifelong quest for knowledge untainted by the pressures of competition and achievement.

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