Einstein The Beast of Prey and Inquiry

IT IS, IN FACT, NOTHING short of a miracle that the modern methods of education have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mainly in need of freedom; without this it goes to wrack and ruin without fail. It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a sense of duty. To the contrary, I believe that it would be possible to rob even a healthy beast of prey of its voraciousness, if it were possible, with the aid of a whip, to force the beast to devour continuously, even when not hungry, especially if the food, handed out under such coercion, were to be selected accordingly. –Albert Einstein The curious mind is voracious so long as it is free to follow its own course of inquiry. The genius Einstein possessed bridled against the compulsion of formal education but free to follow its own course developed concepts that changed the world. Many of us respond well to the discipline of education, many do not.

I have had many Scouts who struggle with their grades but excel in other fields of inquiry. They may be expert in the intricacies of video gaming, skateboarding or fly fishing spending every waking moment engaged in thoughtful pursuit of goals we see as distractions. But these intense occupations bear witness to their considerable abilities of critical thinking, analysis and an endless capacity to learn.

Scouting capitalizes on this powerful instinct by opening a wide field of opportunity to study, to achieve and inquire, to seek out compelling experiences.

Scouting best achieves its goals when it preserves free inquiry rather than a sense of coercion. Like Einstein’s beast of prey Scouts best advance on a timetable dictated by their own interest rather than one set by their leaders. Give them the resources and the latitude to set their own agenda and Scouts will exceed our expectations every time.