Why Read? Why Study?

 Francis Bacon: Of Studies

Francis Bacon, in his work entitled “Of Studies”, points out three uses of study. For him, study is (1) for delight, (2) for ornament, and (3) for ability.

Study for delight refers to when we read or study just to kill time. It is particularly useful for people who have the luxury of time or those that have nothing else to do in a day. For example, if in a day you contemplate on what to do, you can make use of your idle time to read and study for you to at least be productive.

Study for ornament refers to when we read or study in order to acquire some knowledge and be able to discuss things with other people. For example, in your family or in your circle of friends you have a certain topic of discussion, and you are not familiar with it, to be able to participate in the discussion you need to read and study first about it. This is where you use study for ornament – get relevant information and be able to develop these information through communal discussion with other people.

Study for ability refers to when read or study in order to equip ourselves with right judgements and dispositions for very important matters in life. This is the most important use for reading and study. With enough reading and enough study, we prepare ourselves for mature decisions in life. Such decisions are those that shape our way of lives - gives our lives direction. For example, in matters like how to become a good citizen, how to live a meaningful life, how to treat other people - how to live life in general. Matters such us those enumerated, require of us a great deal of preparation, and that preparation calls for study. You cannot know the answer to those concerns without giving time to study it. 

Bacon adds, "to spend too much time in studies is sloth." I agree with what Bacon says about spending too much time in studying. It is considered as a sloth behavior because when we spend too much time in studying - isolating our selves in the corners of our study rooms or libraries or wherever - we separate ourselves from the actual happenings of the world. It is equally important for us to experience the happenings of the world. Our studies only become relevant or useful when it is applied in our daily experiences. Without enough engagement with the real world of encountering other people, our studies will just be a wasted effort. So, it is important to have enough time for study but equally important is to ground this study with actual experience of the world around us.

Do you agree with the role and importance of study mentioned here referencing Bacon? Do you have something to add to the role and importance of study and/or education? 

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