Well, it has reached the end of the “necessary” readings for the semester, and while I can’t say I’m too unhappy about it (Sorry Rachel and Brian), it HAS just dawned on me that this may potentially be the last ever blog post relating to a reading I do….4 long, arduous years of doing so, and I only recently realised this semester that I actually engage with the readings this way.

Awful I know. How could I admit such a thing. But this semester I realised that thoughts would appear in my mind as a direct result of the subject or issue that was being discussed in the readings….

Anyway, I won’t jinx my sudden fondness for said activity and get stuck into a short reflection.

It was explained to us at the start of the year that week by week, the readings would gradually become more and more specific in terms of the our progression in to the semester.

Howard Gardner, a researcher in psychology developed this, I’m going to call it theory/ realisation/outcome of research, about the types of minds people might need if they/ we are going to thrive in the world.

Now as I am already going to be marked down for handing in this last reading 2 days late, I may as well come out and say that I may or may not have read every page of every previous reading. Leaning towards may not. BUT, alas, this reading was completely engaging from start to finish!

To summarise, his five minds were:

• Disciplinary Mind – the mastery of major schools of thought (theory, maths etc)
• Synthesizing Mind – which has the ability to integrate and utilise ideas or concepts from different disciplines, then communicate them to others in a coherent manner – something that is extremely challenging
• Creating Mind – which has the ability to uncover and figure out problems, questions, phenomena
• Respectful Mind – which is the part where we have an awareness and appreciation for differences in human beings, and trying to accept why as well as accepting them
• Ethical Mind – Is the fulfillment of one’s responsibilities, both as a worker and as a citizen

And with these “a person will be be well equipped to deal with what is in the future”.

There is no superior mind, and perhaps it was his style of writing, but he didn’t have an “This is it and there is no more attitude”. He acknowledges that there is room for improvement, and change and that this list will continue to grow as we learn and discover new ways. I feel as though he would be a really good speaker to listen to (can we invite him to one of our seminars?).

This reading, apart from making me want to perhaps take a Psychology course, is extremely relevant for looking into the future.