This book explains the social agenda of the process of professional training. Disciplined Minds shows how it is used to promote orthodoxy by detecting and weeding out dissident candidates and by exerting pressure on the rest to obey their instructors and abandon personal agendas such as social reform -- so that they, in turn, can perpetuate the system by squeezing the life out of the next generation.
Shortly after writing this book, Jeff Schmidt was fired from his position as Editor of the academic journal, Physics Today. After many years of legal battling, he was judged to have been dismissed without good cause, awarded a considerable sum of damages and reappointed, whereupon he swiftly resigned.
The website for the book Disciplined Minds by Jeff Schmidt provides an overview of its main arguments and themes. The book critiques the training and socialization of professionals, arguing that their roles often serve the interests of employers and institutions rather than the broader public. Here is a summary of the key points from the website:
Key Points
Professional Socialization:
- Schmidt argues that professionals, such as scientists, lawyers, and doctors, undergo a rigorous socialization process that molds them to fit into pre-existing power structures. This training emphasizes conformity, obedience, and the acceptance of authority.
Intellectual Subordination:
- The book suggests that professionals are trained to subordinate their intellectual autonomy to the demands and expectations of their employers. This process creates a workforce that is skilled but lacks critical thinking and the willingness to challenge the status quo.
Role of Education:
- Higher education institutions play a significant role in this socialization process. Graduate programs and professional schools emphasize technical skills while discouraging dissent and critical analysis of institutional goals.
Control Mechanisms:
- Schmidt identifies several mechanisms that maintain control over professionals, including credentialing, peer review, and the promise of career advancement. These mechanisms reinforce compliance and discourage questioning of established norms.
Impact on Society:
- The book argues that this system of professional training and control has significant societal implications. It leads to a workforce that prioritizes institutional interests over public good and innovation, perpetuating inequality and hindering progress.
Resistance and Change:
- Schmidt advocates for a reevaluation of professional training to encourage critical thinking, independence, and a commitment to social justice. He calls for professionals to resist conforming pressures and to use their expertise for the benefit of society.
Personal Experience:
- The book includes insights from Schmidt's personal experiences, illustrating how the pressures to conform can impact individual professionals and their careers.
Conclusion
Disciplined Minds presents a critical analysis of the professional training system, highlighting the ways it perpetuates control and conformity. Schmidt calls for a transformative approach to professional education that empowers individuals to challenge authority and work towards societal betterment.