According to to the National Science Board:
"...the Nation is failing to meet the STEM education needs of U.S. students, with serious implications for our scientific and engineering in the 21st century. Addressing this issue is absolutely essential for the continued economic success of the Nation and its national security. All American citizens must have the basic scientific, technological, and mathematical knowledge to make informed personal choices, to be educated voters, and to thrive in the increasingly technological global marketplace" (see here).Since this National Action Plan on the part of the National Science Board there has been great emphasis on promoting STEM education. I, as so many others, believe this is a timely and necessary emphasis and I hope that it succeeds in creating a citizenry that does have "the basic scientific, technological, and mathematical knowledge" needed in an ever technologically advancing world. That being said, is it enough?
It is clear from the NSB's statement that the emphasis is aimed at "the continued economic success of the nation and its national security." Those are certainly important goals for any country. Even so, there is more to making a well-rounded citizenry that can achieve those goals than simply imparting STEM knowledge.
Not only do we need STEM educated citizens, but we need virtuous citizens. We need citizens who know how to live well, how to live with one another, and how to live as citizens in a Constitutional Republic like ours.
Now, whether or not virtue can be taught is a question as old as Socrates. But what can be taught is what others have had to say about what it means to live with virtue, with arete. So for instance:
"Clearly, then, it is wise, courageous, moderate, and just" Plato Republic IV (427e)Could our country benefit from a citizenry that individually and as a body lives in a just manner, treating each other as equals, with equal rights to life, liberty, and happiness? Could our economy benefit from citizens who understand what it means to live moderately? Would our national security be enhanced if its civilians as well as its service men and women understood and embodied courage? Should any one of our citizens lack in wisdom? How is it that at least knowing of these is not an essential part of any education?
"For instance, both fear and confidence and appetite and anger and pity and in general pleasure and pain may be felt too much and too little, and in both cases not well; but to feel them at the right times, with reference to the right objects, towards the right people, with the right motive, and in the right way, is what is both intermediate and best, and this is the mark of arete" Aristotle Nichomachean Ethics II:6:1106b:20.What Aristotle says here may be easier understood than implemented, but how can one even begin to practice this "mark of virtue" if one has never heard? I am sure more than one child would be intrigued to learn more about eudaimonia and what it means to be truly happy, to flourish. Besides, children already have a good spirit, easily recognizing what is good and of value. Why not encourage that good spirit early to create a life-long interest?
"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any arete and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" Philippians 4:8.By all means let us encourage the STEM education of our children, but let us also encourage a working knowledge of virtue. At the very least let them think about these things. To educate well-rounded citizens is not one option among others. We have no choice but to teach our children what it means to live freely, deliberately, justly, and with an eye to their future.
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin, letter to Messrs, the Abbes Chalut, and Arnaud, April 17, 1787; Writings 9:569
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