Philistine and genius

"Philistine and Genius" by Boris Sidis is a thought-provoking exploration of education and social values from the early 1900s. Sidis highlights the risks of "philistinism," which he describes as a culture of being ordinary, following orders without question, and discouraging individuality, while championing the development of genius and original thought in young people. He believes that the quality of a society hinges on its approach to education and encourages people to identify and fight against different kinds of wrongdoings to promote real advancement in society. Sidis speaks directly to parents and teachers, stressing how vital their roles are in guiding the next generation and shaping society’s future. He considers the profound effect of early learning experiences, arguing that a child’s surroundings greatly affect how they grow and what they’re capable of achieving later in life. He also touches on the importance of education in early childhood to help develop critical thinking skills and appreciation for knowledge, instead of forcing children to memorize facts and obey without question. Sidis finds fault with the education system of his time for suppressing genius and promoting mediocrity, setting the scene to discuss the consequences of this across society in relation to significant historical events, such as the growing threat of war in Europe.