Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Beale
(Heading blithely off-topic …) But how can they tell that if, fundamentally, they are thinking in English — interesting problem of logic there!
Sorry but I just see it as evidence of knowing something, there is no rational basis for privileging this particular corner of knowledge above (say) materials science, plant biology, or indeed aerial warfare 1939–45.
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Some of them are thinking in German and French, Nick
I think we should sympathise with their predicament, translating from English to German and the reverse poses problems of logic too, even though it is perhaps easier than the Latin!
I would vouch for the importance of all three field of knowledge that you mentioned. Nevertheless, "Classical education" in its late nineteenth century sense, with the sciences included, was in many ways superior to its modern equivalent. I imagine you don't object to Latin too much, if you still remember it
Warm regards,
Paul