Intent and Motivation?

The following paragraph caught my attention while I was reading “Of The Delicacy of Taste and Passion” by David Hume.

The good or ill accidents of life are very little at our disposal; but we are pretty much masters what books we shall read, what diversions we shall partake of, and what company we shall keep. Philosophers have endeavoured to render happiness entirely independent of every thing external. That degree of perfection is impossible to be attained: But every wise man will endeavour to place his happiness on such objects chiefly as depend upon himself: and that is not to be attained so much by any other means as by this delicacy of sentiment. When a man is possessed of that talent, he is more happy by what pleases his taste, than by what gratifies his appetites, and receives more enjoyment from a poem or a piece of reasoning than the most expensive luxury can afford.

This particular passage reminded me of the movie “Fight Club” and how attachment to physical items is not going to satisfy our passions. I really enjoyed the emphasis at the beginning of the paragraph that explains that while we cannot control the world and what happens to us, we can control the information and opinions we are exposed to.

It makes me consider the reasons most people go to college. Many people go to college so that they can have a high paying job and can afford many luxuries in life. Another interesting thing is that people always ask what you are in college for, and most English majors get asked what kind of job they'll have when they finish.

This mentality should be considered when teaching. Most students are in school to get a degree and get a good job. Most students are not in college to gain a vast knowledge or logic skills. So then how do we keep students engaged when the only care they have is the grade letter on their transcript. Should teachers take the time to explain the purpose and intent of a class and how it will valuable outside of a college classroom.

When I think this, I try to remember if I've had any professors attempt to convince me that their subject will be useful outside of the classroom. Of all colleges I have attended and all the classes I have taken, only a few of the professors have attempted to put the classes objectives in a real world situation. I am curious if other people in the class have had a similar experience or feel that the professors should always try to find a way to make the course relevant to everyday life.

What are ways that we can convince students that good writing skills can be used in every day life? One thing I can think of is it helps me when I am answering questions during an interview. I guess I imagine answering the question like an essay question and avoid babbling or being too wordy in my response.