Intellectual Autobiography Final

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University of California - Irvine

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xbune844

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Intellectual Autobiography in part Response to William Cronon’s “Only Connect”

Intellectual values are the benefits gained from acquiring a meaningful education. My

intellectual values include self –confidence, excellent communication skills, integrity, critical

thinking, and curiosity, and wisdom, independence in thought, tolerance, and impacting other

people’s lives. The origin of my intellectual values is my education and my family. My

education has significantly shaped my life in a positive and impactful way. It has enabled me to

acquire knowledge in very many areas and aspects of life, which has led to increased self-

confidence and self-esteem.

I am now able to understand and tolerate people, communicate effectively, and pass

across my views and thoughts in a humble but appropriate manner. I am also able to handle

situations assertively, discerning what is right or wrong, morally, legally, or in a matter of ethics.

Additionally, I now have an idea of the career path I want to take since I have identified both my

academic and life interests. I am now a better family member, friend, and citizen. Education has,

therefore, been very instrumental in the growth of all sectors of my life.

I hope and expect that my education will help me cultivate my intellectual values further.

This is through pursuing higher education and acquiring more knowledge and wisdom from

various sources, not just school materials. I am also planning and hoping to pursue a career and

Surname 2

me an expert professional in a particular field or industry. My family influenced me to value,

respect, and pursue education and knowledge highly. When I was younger, I did not love school

as much because I felt it took me away from home and the people I love. My parents, however,

showed me the positive side of education and literacy, meeting new people with different

backgrounds, learning different subjects, and earning a variety of skills. In my home, it

mandatory to attend all classes unless one is sick or has an emergency. My dad always reminded

me that education sets one free. Education should, however, also be liberal. A mantra that

Cronon explicitly expounds on throughout his essay. He clearly states that liberal education is

not a state to be achieved, but a way of living; “A liberal education is not something any of us

ever achieve; it is not a state…a way of educating ourselves without any illusion that our

educations will ever be complete” (Cronon, p. 79). I am, therefore, a believer in the liberation

and freedom brought about by learning and educating ourselves, continuously, as long as we

live. I was raised to value curiosity, not to take things just as they are. I was taught that one

should always dig more in-depth, as there will always be more knowledge to find; the wells of

knowledge are inexhaustible. This is how one finds beauty in education and learning.

There are two points in Cronon’s essay I relate to most. First is how institutions force

students to acquire freedom and growth through fixed terms and rigid standards. In high school, I

have been forced to learn foreign languages, which I had no interest in whatsoever because the

school management feels that that is what is best for the student. Additionally, in every course,

there are set reading novels and subjects that are mandatory, regardless of one's interests, talents,

or key areas of strength. You find that even though I am fully interested in arts and literature,

there is a science or biology class, I have to take up to a certain level. I, therefore, agree with

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Surname 1 Student’s Name Professor Course Due date Intellectual Autobiography in part Response to William Cronon’s “Only Connect” Intellectual values are the benefits gained from acquiring a meaningful education. My intellectual values include self –confidence, excellent communication skills, integrity, critical thinking, and curiosity, and wisdom, independence in thought, tolerance, and impacting other people’s lives. The origin of my intellectual values is my education and my family. My education has significantly shaped my life in a positive and impactful way. It has enabled me to acquire knowledge in very many areas and aspects of life, which has led to increased selfconfidence and self-esteem. I am now able to understand and tolerate people, communicate effectively, and pass across my views and thoughts in a humble but appropriate manner. I am also able to handle situations assertively, discerning what is right or wrong, morally, legally, or in a matter of ethics. Additionally, I now have an idea of the career path I want to take since I have identified both my academic and life interests. I am now a better family member, friend, and citizen. Education has, therefo ...
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