Scholars' Lecture: Professor Richard Aldrich

On Thursday 9 February Richard Aldrich, Emeritus Professor of Education at London University, presented a paper on 'The role of education in human evolution - past, present and future'.

Speaking to sixth form scholars, Professor Aldrich described how education has driven the evolution of human beings over the past 7000 years from the earliest writing, via the printing press, to mass literacy and now global communication via the internet and mobile phone. Describing the development of human intelligence as a collective experience and one of transition of knowledge from one generation to the next, Professor Aldrich considered the opportunities and risks of the high speed transfer of knowledge in the internet age. Exploring the cranial development of humans over thousands of years, the scholars were invited to consider whether the human brain was capable of continued development to keep pace with the volume of knowledge growth and communication.

Following a lively discussion, the evening concluded with a dinner in the Old School Room providing an opportunity to reflect on the ideas raised.

Dr David Smith
Deputy Head Academic

Posted: Friday, February 10, 2012