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Knowing how to change a flat is not "highly useful" knowledge if you have a AAA membership. The reason changing a flat is considered "beneath" knowledge like un
by druddha 11y ago
Knowing how to change a flat is not "highly useful" knowledge if you have a AAA membership. The reason changing a flat is considered "beneath" knowledge like understanding Socrates ideas is because it takes time and effort to comprehend complex, abstract topics. Whereas changing a tire is an easy skill to learn for any person.
In fact, a scholarly person refusing to learn how to change a flat tire is of benefit to society because it frees their mind to contemplate more complicated matters and allows for less the less ambitious or less capable to still have functions in the economy.
- ghaff 11y agoThe basic idea that you're expressing isn't entirely unreasonable--not everyone should spend the time to become a competent auto mechanic just because. And it's not unreasonable to just take your car in to get the oil changed. However, you're probably getting downvoted because: 1. AAA isn't always there at your beck and call. 2. The mechanics of changing a flat don't exactly take years of training. 3. Some degree of self-reliance is generally desirable although that degree may be a reasonable topic for debate.
- druddha 11y agoI agree on all 3 points, none of which run contrary to what I said. Downvoting without commenting is cowardly, lazy, or both.
- xupybd 11y agoYeah, the problem is changing a tire will take you about 15 minutes to learn. Less time than it would take waiting for the AAA. Sure if you don't want to do it, there's nothing wrong with that. But many smart people don't learn simple practical things for the same reason many practical people don't learn intellectual things, they put them in the too hard or too boring basket. You tend to be good at the things you work at, and work at the things you like.
- druddha 11y agoIt's an obviously an analogy. In modern society, is knowing how to change a tire more practical than understanding the basis of argument? > You tend to be good at the things you work at, and work at the things you like. You work at those things which bring you utility. It's a subtle difference, but utility includes activities you don't like but which generate income. Ideally, those activities are also beneficial for society. Critical thinking is more highly valued in modern society than is knowing how to change a flat.