The More Educated One Is, the Less Satisfied One is with Life

True happiness and fulfillment in life can only be derived from a fundamental contentment with one's lot, which encompasses all aspects of existence-the material, the spiritual, the emotional and the physical. To be satisfied with life, at least one or more of these needs should be met. The most basic path that leads to such fulfillment can thus be assumed to be education, because education is the leveling factor that gives everyone-regardless of nationality, creed or language-an equal opportunity to fulfill those human needs. Of course, it is doubtful as to whether or not more education can truly bring about real contentment in life, as this could also become an impediment on the road to elusive happiness. However, in the light of all the positive benefits that education entails, it is difficult for it not to be a catalyst towards achieving satisfaction in life.

Education can be a hindrance in the path to contentment in life, because the more educated one is, the greater one's expectations will be, and thus the more one will want. This applies not only to material needs, but also to other facets of life such as leadership positions, status and wealth. The more learned the individual, the higher the propensity that this individual will crave success and recognition because of the innate belief in his own ability, intellect and prowess. It is difficult then to be truly satisfied with life and the status quo, because of the constant grasping for the wind. In contrast, it is much easier for those who are less educated to achieve contentment, because they have fewer wants and expectations. In a global survey carried out by an economic body measuring the standard of living across countries, it was found that the people living in the poorer, developing countries like those in the African continent were comparatively happier than their counterparts in developed, ricer countries. These people were able to appreciate the simpler joys in life, like "family", "friends" and "the warmth of the sun". This child-like simplicity is a result of not being adulterated and warped by excessive education and the desire for greater achievements in life that too much education brings. Therefore an inverse relationship can be seen, because the statistics suggest that the less educated an individual is, the more satisfied he or she is with life.

Furthermore, the more educated one is, the higher the likelihood of being disillusioned with the world and with life in general. This stems from being exposed to the manifold frailties of humanity that comes from increased knowledge of the world. For example, regardless of the subject or course that one takes at secondary or tertiary level, it is unavoidable to learn about aspects of history that reveal the full extent of horror that human beings are capable of inflicting on their fellow men. The atrocities committed during World War Two are testament to this, such as Hitler's mass extermination of the Jews, and the Holocaust. Even in the field of science, it is difficult to ignore the evils of modern science, such as the advancement of nuclear technology, which can aid the creation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the ethical issues involved in areas of science like stem cell research. The knowledge of these things is inextricably linked, and hence the more educated one is, the more such issues will take a toll on the individual. In that sense, ignorance is really bliss, because once one sees this unsettling side of humanity, it probes one's conscience, rendering bouts of cynicism about the human condition, such that it becomes increasingly difficult to accept things the way they are.

On the other hand, education is a means of empowerment, which can definitely enhance life satisfaction. With the acquisition of knowledge and skills, it becomes much easier to break out of the poverty cycle. This is why there is great emphasis on educating the people of poverty-stricken developing countries like Ghana, because it is the only chance that they will have for social advancement. Better education equates to better job prospects and higher income, which is empowering in itself. Emotionally, it can lead to self-actualisation, which ranks highest on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the theory in psychology that expounds on human motivation via five levels of basic needs that are often depicted in the form of a pyramid. Self-actualisation results in individual empowerment and perhaps even the emancipation of the individual from socially constructed barriers and restrictions. An account was given of a young boy from a small African village who was given the chance to study by 'Room for Reading', a non-profit organization aimed at providing underprivileged children with the resources and opportunities to gain an education. This boy even managed to further his education overseas, funded by a scholarship. When he returned to his village, he became an agent of change, single-handedly lifting the village out of abject poverty. This is testament of the life-changing powers that an educated person can possess. With such empowerment comes a greater appreciation for life, because it fulfils one's emotional needs of being able to make a difference in the lives of others. This undoubtedly results in increased life satisfaction.

Furthermore, the more educated an individual is, the more complex his mind, and hence the greater his capacity to ponder about other things greater than himself, such as the metaphysical. This can open numerous doors to discovering the true meaning of life, and in answering philosophical questions like one's purpose in the world. A more educated individual is more equipped to think about such matters, and even perhaps to delve into the realm of the spiritual, since he will be able to better comprehend religious statutes and teachings. This can possibly be a reason why, even though the world has progressed tremendously in the fields of education, science and technology, religion has not become obsolete. In a recent Straits Times special report on religion in Singapore, a main reason for the spike in the number of people embracing religion was cited to be the desire the to 'find the true meaning in life'. More and more people are seeking solace and satisfaction in spirituality, instead of ephemeral paper qualifications, status and wealth. This is significant, especially because the country has experienced an increase in literacy rates and university degrees over the years, which indicates a subtle correlation between education and religion. The fulfillment derived from being able to embrace metaphysical concepts and spirituality will thus enable one to experience true contentment in life, especially when one's faith is grounded in a superior power that is greater than one's self.

Another advantage of being better educated is the ability to appreciate the finer things in life, which makes life beautiful and gives it meaning by appealing to depths of one's soul. It has often been said that art is able to speak to the soul ways that nothing else can, and that the pleasure derived from things of aesthetic beauty is 'incomparable', as quoted by local visual artist Low Ming Teck. It is one thing to view art or to watch performances, but to be able to truly appreciate and understand the finer things in life, a certain level of education is needed, as well as sensitivity to arts and culture. This would evoke an intellectual response to the piece of artwork or the performance, instead of merely an emotive response. Without some degree of education, it would be tantamount to 'playing the piano for a cow', as the old Chinese proverb goes. When one is able to appreciate these finer things in life, life will be more beautiful, and this enhances the satisfaction of existence. Art transcends what is merely functional and utilitarian, and is able to reach into the souls of individuals. Those who are erudite enough will be able to appreciate this, and derive inexplicable joy from it. Hence, being educated enough to fully appreciate the finer things in life entails the fulfillment of one's emotional needs, and the needs of the soul.

When the individual is learned, such avenues and advantages will be open to him, resulting in a higher quality of life. In the end, however, it is up to the individual to utilize the knowledge and intellect that he has derived from his education, to find contentment and satisfaction in his human existence. There is definitely much potential for an educated man to be blissfully content with his lot, but he must make a concerted effort to use the tools that he is equipped with to find 'the diamonds in the mud and mire'.