Question: Abstract Subjects & General academic performance.

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3 total messages Started by David Spurrett Wed, 11 Nov 1992 13:39

#140

Author: David Spurrett
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 13:39

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I am interested to hear from anyone who knows of research into the 
relationship (empirical, not necessarily causal) between the study of highly 
abstract subjects like philosophy and mathematics, and the general academic 
performance of the student/s in question.  I know of one study which found a 
close link between study of phil or math, and dramatically above average 
performance in all other areas.  This study did not have any control groups
(from say high school level) to see if any causal link was suggested, which 
is my area of most intense curiosity at present.  Either follow on the net
(if this is the correct group, otherwise sorry for any offence) of email.

Thanks,

o------------------------------------------o------------------------------o
| David Spurrett, Department of Philosophy |  `I have seen the truth, and |
| University of Natal, Durban              |   it makes no sense.'        |
| email: spurrett@superbowl.und.ac.za      |              - OFFICIAL!     |
o------------------------------------------o------------------------------o

Re: Question: Abstract Subjects & General academic performance.

#142

Author: lmk2
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 23:10

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In article <spurrett.34.721489185@superbowl.und.ac.za> spurrett@superbowl.und.ac.za (David Spurrett) writes:
>I am interested to hear from anyone who knows of research into the 
>relationship (empirical, not necessarily causal) between the study of highly 
>abstract subjects like philosophy and mathematics, and the general academic 
>performance of the student/s in question.  I know of one study which found a 
>close link between study of phil or math, and dramatically above average 
>performance in all other areas.  This study did not have any control groups

Well, I'm not sure of a study, but I attended St. John's College for my
undergraduate education, and it seemed, across the board, that even 
students who had performed poorly in many subjects in high school or
previous college experiences, did exceptionally improved work when studying
very difficult mathematical and philosophical texts and that all of
their work improved.  I can't speak for myself, because I always did
quite well in school, but I know that the general feeling at the 
school was that delving deeply into these questions in mathematics
and philosophy made learning more interesting and just plain fun.
No control groups here, though, just a lot of hard-working kids reading
great books.

Leslie Kay

Re: Question: Abstract Subjects & General academic performance.

#162

Author: Herman Rubin
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 19:29

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In article <1ds3t1INNbtm@agate.berkeley.edu> lmk2@garnet.berkeley.edu () writes:
>In article <spurrett.34.721489185@superbowl.und.ac.za> spurrett@superbowl.und.ac.za (David Spurrett) writes:
>>I am interested to hear from anyone who knows of research into the 
>>relationship (empirical, not necessarily causal) between the study of highly 
>>abstract subjects like philosophy and mathematics, and the general academic 
>>performance of the student/s in question.  I know of one study which found a 
>>close link between study of phil or math, and dramatically above average 
>>performance in all other areas.  This study did not have any control groups

I do not know of any such studies myself, but within mathematics, knowing
the concepts helps in learning the details and special cases, but there is
not too much evidence of the other direction.  However, I do not consider
arithemtic or calculus or linear algebra as an abstract subject.
-- 
Herman Rubin, Dept. of Statistics, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette IN47907-1399
Phone: (317)494-6054
hrubin@snap.stat.purdue.edu (Internet, bitnet)  
{purdue,pur-ee}!snap.stat!hrubin(UUCP)

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