Nino Jojua

Ling 100A—G

October 11, 2018

Do we still need it?

Higher education has always been valuable both for person’s further development and

for finding job. Paul Stoller (2012), a scholar and writer, in his article “My Struggles with

Anti-Intellectualism” shows importance of higher education. He provides his own example to

demonstrate value of higher education to become a writer and provides another example

which shows importance of university degree in finding job. On the other hand, some people

think that for achieving success in life higher education is not mandatory. For example,

Charles Murray (2007) in his article “What is Wrong with Vocational School?” asserts that in

most situations taking four year university courses are waste of time. He thinks that two year

vocational school is better decision. We see that the main topic of both articles is higher

education issue. The authors reveal the topic in different ways and they have different

opinions. However, there are some similarities and differences between these articles.

Paul Stoller (2012) in his article “My Struggles with Anti-Intellectualism” asserts and

explains that anti-intellectualism exists and it had occupied every nook and cranny. One

problem that the author highlights in his article is society’s opinion about critical thinking.

They think that critical thinking is just a waste of time. An example of this is stereotypes

about profession which exist in society. This stereotype is that if you are lawyer or doctor

your choice is good just because you can provide your family. In the other cases, for example

if you are a writer or scholar you are limited in your financial possibilities, so you can not
provide your family. Stoller completely denies this stereotype and asserts that developing

critical thinking in students is necessary. In his opinion, it is important to combat the anti-

intellectualism and support a space, where teachers do not teach students what to think but

show them how to think.

Murray (2007) in his article “What is Wrong With Vocational School?” claims that too

many students are enrolling in 4-year universities when they should really attend vocational

school. One reason he gives is that 4-year universities are too difficult for the individuals with

average intelligence. He states that from university can benefit only a few students. He

continues that the demand of good craftsmen is higher than demand of good lawyer or

physician. So finding job is easier for craftsmen than for lawyers or physicians. Murray also

explained that after few time, college degree will not be mandatory for many jobs, because

with developing internet many courses are available online. So students can easily study and

gain many skills without going to university or college. And for employments working skills

are more important than degree.

There are some similarities between these two articles. For example, both authors show that

parents’ pressure on children has negative effect in their future life. Stoller(2012) shows that

many students choose their profession because their parents want it. Stoller illustrated his

own example—how his family forced him in choosing profession. Murray(2007) claims the

same. In his opinion, many students go to college because their parents are paying for it.

Next similarity is about stereotype. Both authors are trying to break stereotypes which exist

in society’s mind for a long time. Stoller is trying to make reader understand the importance

of critical thinking. On the other hand, Murray is trying to make reader understand the

importance of making right decision after graduating high school. From university can

benefit about 20% of students. Right decision for them should be vocational school.
There also are some differences. For example, Stoller says that despite of failure any person

can achieve his goal, but he should not stop he must try again and again. However, Murray

asserts that if person has a failure in one field, he should switch it and move to field, where he

would be successful.

Both authors discuss issues and stereotypes which are linked to higher education. While

Stoller calls for combat anti-intellectualism, Murray maintains vocational schools and puts it

up a notch than university. Stoller writes in informal tone, while Murray writes in formal

tone. The tone is different, but the audience of both authors are the same: high school

students, their parents, government and generally educated people who have interest in this

topic.

References

Murray,C.(2007 January 17).What is Wrong with Vocational School?

Stoller,P.(2012 July 08). My Struggles with Anti-Intelectualism.