There is almost no day that I don’t hear the comment “why for heavens sake I need all this theory when the best of knowledge is gained through practice.” True. What do we need theory for unless we use it in practice. This perception would be perfectly acceptable if in the process it hasn’t acquired completely wrong interpretation.
The fact is that many of us could have completed our schooling with less information and that
the reform of educational system and its curriculum was and is still welcomed in order to be aimed at its
practical application. I can freely say that certain things I loaded my brain with didn’t help me in my
practical work. Some of them were such that for me and most of my colleagues they had no practical
application. However, this should not serve to justify the stance that theory, even boring and
exhausting, is useless. And it definitely shouldn’t serve as an excuse for the lack of motivation for
studying. Finally, in order to perform work professionally regardless of the area of interest, we need to
have a solid theoretical basis.
Not all of us are born to be erudite. Not all of us have capacity to graduate from colleges.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that the persistent ones won’t get degrees and titles. Much to my
surprise, I hear such comments coming from those who decided to acquire academic qualifications. I
can’t accept that seemingly unnecessary knowledge is useless. If nothing else, it adds up to our general
education. Isn’t it logical to learn when studying is all we have to do at certain period of our lives. Our
brain strengthens its capacity when used. It can’t be used up. And, the main question is, why it should be
that hard to get the deeper insight into the matter.
Knowledge can’t be instant and recycled product. How to master a foreign language without
learning a single grammatical rule? It might be possible, but is definitely harder way to learn. Can one
become a surgeon by mere holding a scalpel without previously reading tons of books on human body?
Thus, even if you happen to jump into conclusion that you do not need theory for your practical work,
ask yourself honestly “would I like to be surgically treated by a doctor who gained his surgical expertise
by solely learning through practice?”.