What Is a University?

¶ … University? Choosing to pursue a higher education was a simple decision for me. I have never been a person to sit back while the world passed me by; I have always been an active participant in life. Throughout my school career, I have strongly believed that it is through education that change for the better can be brought to the world. I have witnessed teachers in all fields make such a different for their students because of the power of knowledge and education.

This line of thinking often leads people into fields of study such as the sciences, where research may be conducted to better understand our physical world, or the humanities, where through thought and analysis we may find new ways to interpret and contribute to society. However, I chose a different path, but it remains one that may improve many lives.

We live in a world which is no longer impacted as much by the ability of humans to outrun predators or gather food in the forest, except perhaps on a far more symbolic level. This world is now dominated by the power of the dollar and the ability of humans to harness that power for the best outcome. I have chosen to study economics because of the incredible potential impact the application of economics can have on the world.

I believe that my studies in this academic program will help me live up to the philosophy of Ft. Lawton, and allow me to empower my imagination, develop my skills, and enrich my compassion. Imagination is not a concept reserved for little children playing make-believe or the artist creating a project. The power of imagination infiltrates every aspect of life, and the ability of a person to be creative in their way of thinking often spells the difference between success and failure.

In economics, like every course of study, it is necessary -- as the cliche reminds us --to think outside of the box and always seek new solutions to the problems that present themselves to us every day. Imagination has been applied to the study of economics by some of the greatest thinkers of recent times.

Take, for example, the writings of the brilliant economist Russell Kirk, wherein he discuses the "Economics of the Permanent Things." Kirk advocated the free-market system, and he taught that economics was not just a study of purely financial matters, but that "economics cannot be separated from morals and character: 'material prosperity depends upon moral convictions and moral dealings' - specifically, a high degree of honesty, industry, charity, and fortitude.

Intellect, initiative, shrewdness, vigor, and imagination are also crucial." (Attarian) According to Kirk, a free economy is the best economic system for encouraging these virtues, including imagination, because of the limitless possibilities that exist for those thriving within that economy.

Kirk further speculated that, "our industrial economy, of all systems man ever created, is that most delicately dependent upon public energy, private virtue, and fertility of imagination." (Attarian) I look forward to learning more about such great thinkers as Kirk and therefore learning to develop my imagination within our economy as well.

Alfred Marshall's 1890 classic definition of economics, from his book Principles of Economics, was simply "a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life." (Marshall) In response to this, Northrop Frye, the literary critic, would write that "The fundamental job of the imagination in ordinary life.. is to produce, out of the society we have to live in, a vision of the society we want to live in" A great thinker of our own era, Saras Sarasvathy of the University of Washington School of Business, reminds of this.

Additionally, she teaches that while economists may not realize that ethics are an integral part of their studies, they remain so nonetheless. Sarasvathy also writes that entrepreneurship is the key to bringing imagination to the economy, and that it is the task of all potential entrepreneurs to craft a vision of the society in which they wish to live. (Sarasvathy) know that through hard work in my academic studies, I will be able to develop my skills in the field of economics.

It is important to develop these skills because without them I would be lost in my attempts to better our world which relies so strongly on the economy. I have prepared myself for further skill development by studying the works of economists from recent times, as well as those of eras past. I feel that the skills of creative thinking and the skill of applying economic philosophy to real life situations are vital to furthering my ability to be an active participant in the economy.

I additionally hope to further my understanding of entrepreneurship and skills in that area specifically as it relates to economics so that I may best be a part of crafting the vision for the society in which I wish to live. Compassion is a vital part of any positive impact one may have on the world today.

While some people who do not understand economics at all may think that those who enter this field of study are money- and power-hungry and studying the economy so that they can best profit from it in the form of personal gain. How far this is from the truth! The study of economics is a compassionate one, wherein I hope to gain a deeper understanding of what has caused so many national economies of.