Found one of the mini articles published 3 and a half years ago. Feeling nostalgic about the period... :) Typical "rumination" of mine about theory and practice at that time.
Published in UB Post: 2012.3.21
What is theory and what is practice? Aren’t these two negative forces substituting each other effortlessly? Or do they always go together in every place in any time? Essentially, they should be the two sides of one coin, meaning that they should be combined to reach perfection.
Renaissance scholar, father of modern science, Galileo Galilei pioneered the study of galaxy - Astronomy, along with the telescope, as the main equipment of that science. Bearing the name, “Father of Science”, he indubitably had universal ability and contributed in almost every branch of science. When this illuminating man was leaving the earth, in 1642, a boy, with a dazzling mentality, who was soon named Isaac Newton, was stepping down the stairs of heaven to his parents. Finding about the gravitational force of Earth, with his ‘labor fruit’, he coordinated the idea under the name of ‘The Law of Gravity’.
Then century and a half later, in 1936, a prominent economist of brilliant mind and quick intellect, John Maynard Keynes, has saved the world’s largest markets from the Great Depression, by presenting his masterpiece, ‘General theory of Employment, Interest, Money’, and therefore built the basis of the now enriched Macroeconomics.
These people, as individuals, had almost nothing similar, without mentioning the remarkable intelligence. But as a ‘social’ human-being, they are categorized in the history as the ‘great thinkers’. They contributed immensely to the humankind by unveiling the most vital principles of the universe. In other words, they ‘theoretized’ the scheme with their quick wit as well as their past experience. They were the “Theory makers”.
But what is this so-called theory? Is it a rule, serving every parts of existence, without a trace of a given condition? or a commandment, directing absent-minded people to some achievement? Neither. Especially when you are talking about the study of Economics.
As a learner of economics and an amateur of other social sciences, my fellow students and I have faced considerable number of theories. However, as we became aware of the theories, they tend to be set only in certain conditions, meaning that they are true in a given circumstance.
John Maynard Keynes, the only son of a famous economist John Neville Keynes, designed his “awakening” theory in times of depression. In that time, there was no impetus for the industrialists to reach forward, gain profit and invest for further expansion, since it was impossible due to the lack of income. So he decided that the government can interfere and provide subsidies for them, thus motivating the industry. It, in some measure did violate the ancient rule of ‘laissez faire’, but obviously the government wouldn’t always get in the way of economy. If yes, it would be by no means a capitalism, but socialism. Thus, we can’t apply this theory of him in every, for certain, blooming economy. This would be the given condition.
As we all know, theories set these “rubbish” conditions for one major reason, that is: to simplify. It’s not because of the scholar’s indolence, of course. It is the result of the infinity of the universe. And that, in turn, is the end result of its limitless events, makes it harder to guess the manners of life.
Let’s say, we are learning how to get warm (our ancestors from the neolits had long before discovered fire), and successfully we have learned that warmth appears when body is rubbed with the other, followed by catching fire, if powerfully rubbed. But when the flames ignited, there will be no wind blowing. And if there were, there wouldn’t be fire. In this case, the theory is: fire is ignited from warmth, created by rubbing bodies. The condition: there are no external factors such as wind or rain.
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To apply the theory in the proper place at the right time, we should practice by using the theory in real life, so that we gain the experience that enables us to use them further in real life. As the idiom says ‘Practice makes perfect’, once the theory is obtained, it should be practiced to become more accurate and understandable.
Let us take an example of management science and name our protagonist the student Michelle. She has just graduated university with straight A and B’s and now working for a company as a first-line manager. To be a good one, she has to know every aspect of the management science and how to apply them.
In the management science, there are seven viewpoints: ‘Scientific management’, ‘Administrative management’, ‘Behaviorist, humanist management’, ‘Mathematic, statistics management’, the traditional, and the contemporary ones, ‘Systems viewpoint’, ‘Contingency viewpoint’ and ‘Quality viewpoint’. How would she know which viewpoint or theory to apply when she is in a state of not knowing what to do? Yes, the hero is practice.
To work excellent and get herself noticed, she has to learn constantly, which doesn’t limit its meaning to just studying with paper and pencil, in other words, knowledge comes from not only university nor school. Learning is from the environment plus the person’s aspiration to keep pace with the modern world and its high speed of development.
After gaining sound experience, she can now use the viewpoints, as mentioned above, from every aspect. When her worker’s tend to be unhappy and unproductive, she can apply the ‘Behaviorist, humanist management’ viewpoint, thus motivating them to work harder. When she thinks that the workers are not working at the maximum efficiency she would consider the principles of ‘Scientific management’ of Friedrich Taylor and the family of Gilbreths.
Now, let’s consider the current situation of theory and practice in our universities curriculum. Our students, as I know, tend to work as an intern during summer or as a part-time along with studying. It is an excellent experience. But for the rest of the students, that might be not within reach. Moreover, having asked some graduate students about the practical knowledge taught from the university, my fellows and I have concluded that the practicality of our subjects should be enhanced.
In order to improve our practical knowledge, the textbooks have to be set more realistic with cases and examples, not just bunch of theories. Most of the textbooks from other developed countries, such as the US, are incredibly understandable and the form-follows-function design makes the content easily memorized.
Then, by assisting the clubs and unions of students, aiming to be great professionals, will build up firm student-to-student bonds. In addition, if they, the clubs, conduct practical seminars and maybe work on small projects due to certain company’s requests, they would grow up to be excellent human resource with academic as well as practical knowledge, one of the key factors for long-term sustainable development.
Anuudari Burenbat
Student at National University of Mongolia
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