Thanks again, for the additional responses.
I appreciate those who took time to consider the question and then think out and write their answer / opinion.
Replies in order:
feivel–
Shalom aleichem icot (why do we say that in the plural?)
I never thought of that. Possibly to keep the greeting consistent whether addressing an individual or a group? In case someone is hiding behind be?
(Aleichem shalom.)
gavra_at_work–
If I understand you correctly, your point is that doctors, engineers, scientists, geologists, and others whose fields are heavily dependent on advanced math and science would not have made the career choice they did if not for the mandatory H.S. curriculum. Although the number of students choosing those fields is a minority, those professions are important enough to warrant the inclusion and retention of the H.S. math and science subjects.
Pashuteh Yid–
The potential for innovation is so vast, nobody will ever have to worry that there is nothing left to discover.
I assume you disagree with the statement supposedly made by the U.S. Patent Commissioner in 1899 that, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
I agree with Anonymrs that it is essential to have a good Kodesh and Chol education. However, the sad fact is that it usually is one or the other.
When I was in HS (sometime last century) there were several yeshivos, including mine, that had reputations of taking both limudai kodesh and secular subjects seriously.
BTW, not all literature is bad, and much is inspiring and is about the goodness of the world and the people that inhabit it.
True.
anon for this–
I do believe that students should know basic historical facts. No, they don’t need to know when Lincoln was elected to Congress, but they should know the facts about his presidency and the Civil War (especially because in some ways this country is still living with its aftereffects). If historical accounts are sometimes subject to falsehood and speculation as feivel argues, that’s all the more reason to teach students the facts, so they’ll recognize when someone is trying to deceive them.
Agreed.
Most of us in our daily routines are confronted with various scientific & mathematical claims: “Vaccines cause autism!” or “You can double your money in a year by investing in my fund!” A basic knowledge of math and science gives one the tools to critically evaluate this sort of information.
This is a peeve of mine too, as I griped to a previous poster.
===============================================================
(Wow – lots of folks here with impressive academic credentials, that far exceed mine.)
Thanks you all for taking the time to post on this topic.
Gut Shabbos.