November 9 Blog

 This week we're jumping across the pond as we follow Outward Bound from the UK to the USA. Before we fully make the leap, I'd like to linger on Hahn for a moment longer. This week, please share your view on Hahn's philosophy. As Matteo asked, what is worth carrying forward into the present, and what should be left behind?

Also, we'll have a brief visit from Paige Roberts, Archivist at Phillips Andover Academy (Links to an external site.). Please list a couple questions you'd like to ask Paige about the context of OB's founding at Andover in the 1950s and 1960s. Also, please note any highlights from the reading about OB's early development in the USA. (We'll be returning to this topic next week as we visit with Dan Miner, Josh Miner's son, Durham resident, Hurricane Island OB (Links to an external site.) board member, board member of the National Center for Competency Based Learning (Links to an external site.), and personal friend.)

Matteo

For all the talk about Hahns success as an educator, I wonder how effective Hahns methods actually are. Has there ever been an empirical outcomes study conducted on Hahn legacy programs? Do Hahns methods actually achieve his goals, and if not, what effects do they have? 

From Hahns writings the “War on war” and “moral equivalent of war”, his thoughts on “Grande Passions”, His fixation on Good Samaritanism, it is clear that Hahn has isolated what we would call “purpose and meaning” as core to the wellbeing of Youth. Indeed, we now know that “purpose and meaning” are positively linked to a comprehensive array of health factors (https://www.pnas.org/content/116/4/1207.short). It seems that by providing structured, skill building opportunities for youth to participate in meaningful activities, Hahn sought to impart to youth the technical and emotional skills necessary for them to sustain purpose and meaning in their lives over the long term. It is safe to say that the sustenance of purpose and meaning over the course of a life by an individual is a desirable outcome. This, in my opinion, Hahn got right. The question then becomes, “Does the Hahn system achieve this?” This is where empirical validation has a part to play. This part of Hahns work is all I’m willing to take a stand on for now. It seems to me that Hahn often conflated purpose and meaning with altruism, morality, and social cohesion, connections which I think are assumptive and steeped in Hahns own eccentric value system. I remain open to the possibility that they exist, but more work will need to be done before I am entirely sold. Until then I remain, perhaps much to Hahn’s chagrin, a skeptic.

Kendra

Following all of the reading, discussions and speakers on Kurt Hahn, I am more strongly set in my initial position than I was before. While there is some form of social control in the practices that took place, I immediately think of Dewey and the importance of guidance by adults in guiding youth by organizing programming with a specific, democratic focus in mind. When I first heard of the intentional focus behind the World College and bringing together youth of different backgrounds and SES levels along with experiential education, I thought it could potentially be the answer to so many of humanity’s problems.  Similarly, I read that in Finland, there are only public schools so that all students attend school with one another.  One of my biggest heartaches is that of inequality - due to difference in opportunities.  While I do not believe in communism, I do believe that coming together, learning about each other and seeking to understand can make all of us better human beings. When reading Hahn’s rules and values, I believe he exemplified that - and that is what I believe should live on. Practicing humility and compassion and a hard work ethic - I believe in these things. 

Regarding Hahn as a person - personally, I cannot imagine the courage it would take to work and develop and innovate during the Holocaust.  Although I imagine one’s belief in the good of humanity must have played an essential role.  I would never judge a person based on their background, religion or sexual preferences.  I judge people based on their actions, and I seek to place those actions within a sociohistorical context. I believe that oftentimes, people must work together in order to achieve their goals - find synergy and alignment with others.  I believe that Hahn’s familiar privilege may have provided him with some of these contacts and can see that he took advantage of the relationships he forged in order to affect society and potentially prevent future acts of hatred and genocide such as those that occurred during the Holocaust. 

I recognize that I have not personally completed an Outward Bound program and that if I did, it would be by choice.  One of the moments that sticks out in my mind is that of Prince Charles within the show, The Crown.  He did not appreciate Gordonstoun and I wonder about the circumstances of while he was there.  I wonder if those who are coddled lack the ability to appreciate and grow and push themselves (or allow others to push them).  I looked him up a bit after the viewing and saw that he was one of the least liked British royals.