Jan 27 2009
The Purpose of Schooling
Why do some fish, such as the above French grunts, swim in schools? I imagine it has something to do with safety from predators. More eyes to spot an approaching barracuda. I have also heard/read that when in a school, individual fish can better evade predators. While a solitary fish can be zeroed in on, many fish fleeing at once creates confusion. A school seems to be a single entity, but just when you close in to bite, it breaks apart. And reforms.
What is the purpose of schooling for humans? We send our kids to school for roughly two decades. Two decades. Why all that time and effort? Is the purpose of all that schooling to prepare them for the workforce? To educate and enlighten them, thus make them better citizens? To equip them with the skills needed to function in society? To keep them busy and out of trouble during the day?
My answer: Z) All of the above. And more.
