The Loss of The Creature: a Critique of Modern Education

From elementary school to college, we are trained to approach learning as a structured and predetermined process. However, according to the essay "The Loss of the Creature" by Walker Percy, this approach undermines the true essence of education and deprives students of authentic experiences. Percy argues that by following pre-established academic templates and objectives, students lose the ability to connect with and understand the world around them. In this essay, I will examine Percy's main arguments and explore the implications of the loss of the creature in modern education.

Before diving into Percy's critique, it is crucial to understand the concept of "the creature." Percy defines it as an authentic experience or encounter that allows an individual to engage with the world directly, free from preconceived notions and expectations. To Percy, the creature is synonymous with true understanding and individual discovery.

Percy suggests that education, rather than facilitating the pursuit of the creature, hinders it. He argues that the rigid structures and objectives imposed by the education system restrict students' ability to connect with the subject matter on a personal level. Instead of discovering the creature for themselves, students are spoon-fed information and rote learning techniques.

Percy uses the example of a young boy visiting the Grand Canyon to illustrate how education interferes with the encounter of the creature. The boy, armed with textbooks and guided tours, fails to truly appreciate the magnificence of the canyon. His perception of the natural wonder is distorted by the predetermined expectations outlined by his textbooks, preventing him from having a genuine encounter with the creature.

Media, according to Percy, plays a significant role in the loss of the creature. He suggests that we are constantly bombarded by images, narratives, and interpretations of various experiences through movies, television shows, and advertisements. Consequently, our ability to perceive and encounter the creature becomes tainted by these pre-existing mediations.

Percy argues that instead of experiencing the creature firsthand, individuals often rely on mediated versions of experiences. For example, a person may watch a travel documentary and believe they have truly encountered a foreign culture. However, Percy contends that this mediated experience is a diluted version of the actual encounter, as it is heavily influenced by the perspective and interpretation of the filmmaker.

In order to reclaim the creature, Percy proposes a shift in how education is approached. He advocates for the importance of unmediated experiences and urges educators to allow students the freedom to explore and discover without preconceived expectations.

Percy suggests that educators should act as guides rather than instructors, providing students with the necessary tools and resources to embark on their own quests for knowledge. By removing rigid structures and predetermined objectives, students regain the capacity to connect with the subject matter authentically and engage in their own individual encounters with the creature.

Percy argues that the loss of the creature not only affects education but also has broader societal implications. When individuals are deprived of the ability to experience and understand the world on their own terms, they become passive consumers of prepackaged knowledge and experiences.

This lack of agency limits our ability to critically engage with the world and form our own unique perspectives. It hinders innovation, creativity, and independent thought, leading to a society that is content with accepting pre-established narratives and interpretations rather than actively seeking their own encounters with the creature.

Conclusion

Percy's essay "The Loss of the Creature" presents a thought-provoking critique of modern education. By examining the concept of "the creature," Percy highlights the detrimental impact of standardized approaches to learning. He argues that the rigid structures and mediated experiences prevalent in education hinder our ability to have genuine encounters with the world around us.

However, Percy offers a glimmer of hope by proposing a shift in the educational paradigm. By encouraging unmediated experiences and providing students with the freedom to explore and discover, educators can help individuals reclaim the creature and cultivate a society that values personal encounters with authentic understanding.