This summer I was lucky enough to attend a one week Great Books Summer Program hosted at Somerville College, Oxford University. The program focused on writing and literature, exploring both genres through reading experts of texts ranging from William Shakespeare to Borges. The interpretations of these texts centralized primarily on the theme of revenge, followed then by socratic seminars which discussed its nature, through tackling questions such as: “Does acting in revenge require a conscience?”, “Why do we enact revenge?”, “Is revenge nature or nurture?”, and infinitely more.
As thought provoking these questions were when grabbed by oneself, I felt myself truly gain the most from this program not just through the instructors and counselors, but rather more from listening to the insights and voices of those who were learning beside me. This was honestly the most surprising part of this program, for on my first day, I could not help but have negative prognostications about how the first socratic seminar would be among twenty-two other students whose ideas and perceptions were far different and often much more knowledgeable than my own.
Almost anyone on social media knows the dangerous habit of society to turn academic discussions and any opinion into a reflection of one’s moral character. People’s wide-ranging opinions and philosophy of life, from religion to even makeup, is suddenly converted into a war of victimization, stereotypes, and a shared mindset that beliefs must be universal, and that your perception in itself determines your virtue and dignity as a person.
It is easy therefore, to see a divide between what people say, what they really think, and how they want to think. Many people tend to refrain from speaking for what they truly stand for, agreeing with what would protect their perception at that time. Others may worsen the situations, personifying beliefs and characterizing people for the catharsis of having a scapegoat for their emotions.
However, contrary to any aggressive, personal conflict, the seminar surprised me not only through people’s genuine honesty when it came to sharing their perceptions, but also the respectfulness that came with disagreement. It was inevitable that you would speak out and someone else would criticize it, but there was never a time that you would talk and be attacked for it.
Although the debates between classmates often grew with excitement, the argument never degenerated into insulting someone’s person. It was very clear that though people were clearly guided by their philosophy, there was a general agreement that the only thing one’s beliefs should display about the other is that they care for the truth and that they’re willing to make themselves vulnerable to hopefully discover it.
And though society today tends to spread the belief that conflict is the ruiner of friendships, debating only strengthened the connection between campers at this program. People grew in trust and respect when they saw that people were honest and stood with their beliefs, and not saying something just because they wanted to be perceived better. It also furthered intellectual conversations outside of the classroom, for several people lost that initial fear which often comes with academic speaking. Instead, each discussion bore a deep joy and excitement, and people seemed to genuinely enjoy learning in those moments, for what was there to lose when your sense of dignity was not attached to the perception of the words that come from your mouth?
But it was not just the civil discourse that was reassuring, but also the use of the most precious phrase that tends to be misused and looked down upon today.
“I don’t know.”
This phrase is often one of the hardest things that we can say today, especially in public. And when we do, it is usually accompanied by a sense of self-deprecation rather than acceptance. However, when a camper was asked to go further on an idea or to analyze something, the fear of “looking stupid” dissipated. No one was lorded over by the other for failing to “win” an argument, because there is nothing that is supposed to be won in discussions except for the truth.
Although this program taught me a lot on the nature of revenge and analyzing William Shakespeare, I ultimately learned about the true nature of discussions and friendship, as well as how to truly flourish intellectually with others. Despite meeting so many people with wildly different thoughts and opinions, there was never a disconnect or divide which hindered friendship, but rather provided the resources to nurture it. This summer experience, though only a meagre seven days, filled with suppressing British heat and some…questionable food…was one of the most formative and beautiful times I have been able to enjoy. But even more so, it has given me hope for the future, for the revival of a society that is united through the pursuit of truth, justice, and order, fueled by an array of bountiful thoughts.
By Regina Maricich ’29, Classics Editor
29rmaricich@montroseschool.org
