Answer three questions about this article.

I am just going to write my thoughts and answer all three questions within the body of this post rather than number the specific questions. To me, the most important premise of the article is that intelligence is from God. Erskine explains that being good is more important to many writers than being intelligent, even that it is often presented as an evil to be intelligent.  But he argues against this and shows that being intelligent is also moral.  If intelligence is good, then it comes from God. And that IS where the ultimate source of truth comes from. We are under a great obligation to learn that truth, especially as we share knowledge with others, including our children. I love the title of this article, because it uses the word obligation. Being intelligent is not just a nice idea, it is our duty!  I believe that is vital to understand as my husband and I teach our children the things of the world. In fact, they are not just things of the world, but eternal principles and ideas.Therefore I need to make sure I am getting truth from the correct source. This article made me check myself - do I downgrade the importance of intelligence? Sometimes I tell myself that I am doing so much better than the public schools because I am teaching character. Of course that is important, but if my children are unable to use their brains except to be nice to people, I have actually done them harm. I have been reading Little Men and have noticed that Alcott included this type of thinking in her story. We need to build both intelligence and character to help a child of God become like his or her Father. 
One more thing I noticed as I was reading this article was how much I lack in knowledge. I had no idea of many of the literary works he referenced. I have a lot of work to do!

What is the most important premise of this article in your mind?
I believe the most important premise of this article is to cause the reader to think deeply about the underlying message of the literature that shapes our societies. I have not read all of the classics that Erskine refers to, but of the ones that I have read, I did not necessarily draw the same conclusions that he did and his article shows me the value of analyzing what I read more carefully.

How can this article help you in your family's education? 
I have learned, mostly from my children, who are good at questioning everything, the importance of learning through opposition. A couple of my children learn best when they have something to argue against. They need to see an idea or principle from all sides before they can choose to agree (or disagree) with it. And I was reminded of that while reading this article. Erskine makes the argument that English culture has historically accepted the notion that one has to choose between being good and being intelligent. But he continues to persuade us "that intelligence is the virtue we particularly need". In one of my core books, it states that "the glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth." And then a few verses later we are commanded "to bring up your children in light and truth". In other words, we are to bring up our children to be intelligent so they can know God and discern His will.

What is the value of reading this article? 
I think the value of reading this article is, in part, simply taking the time out of our busy lives to ponder and wrestle with challenging material as an exercise in and of itself. Beyond that, it has helped me to think carefully about the value of intelligence as "the master-virtue". As the master-virtue, intelligence persuedes us to continue to wrestle with tough problems and to continue along the path of love as we seek answers to those problems, remembering that love and fear cannot exist in the mind and heart at the same time.

1. I believe that the overall premise of this article is that society believes that intelligence is not the same, or as desirable, or often available in the same person at the same time, as goodness.   The author uses several references to literature to back his points.  Many of the heroes/heroines in his examples are good, but not intelligent, while the intelligent people are often the villains.  This article makes an incredible argument that it is possible and desirable to be BOTH intelligent and good.  They can come together.
2. I was unaware of how many examples of this there are in literature.  I can be more aware and point these out to my children.  I can teach more explicitly the importance of education coupled with goodness.
3. I was, frankly, disturbed by this article :).  It gives me some heavy things to think about.  I am uncomfortable because I see the points the author is making through his examples, and I have never noticed them before.  I value education.  A good person can be better with education.   -KAE

1. I believe that the overall premise of this article is that society believes that intelligence is not the same, or as desirable, or often available in the same person at the same time, as goodness.   The author uses several references to literature to back his points.  Many of the heroes/heroines in his examples are good, but not intelligent, while the intelligent people are often the villains.  This article makes an incredible argument that it is possible and desirable to be BOTH intelligent and good.  They can come together.

     Taking a moment to step back and think of why we pursue intelligence, and do we use that intelligence virtuously is a highly valuable exercise.  What a wonderful way to frame our goals, mission, and what we believe God wants us to know and why, as Julie recommends, at the beginning of each new school year.  Erskine's essay was and is  deeply beneficial in helping us see the connection between what we have been given from our heritage, from our literature, from the world around us everyday, and asking ourselves, "Is that what I believe?  Is that true? Have I been acting on age old assumptions without even knowing it?"  Whatever one believes or decides, the value of reading this article helps one become aware of influencing factors and then make a purposeful plan in pursuing the intelligence that we were before the world was and balancing that with morality and goodness.

     Virtue will lead to intelligence, but intelligence will not necessarily lead to virtue. Intelligence is a virtue, true intelligence is seeking after light, and light comes from God. We have our agency, to ignore the true source and seek worldly knowledge is an option.  To be learned is good if you hearken unto the counsel of God--to be learned otherwise is to subscribe to that evil one who uses his intelligence for all that is miserable and dark.  Something can look completely different in the light than in the dark.  All light is from God, but there are some who take the truth and twist it in the darkness.  Also, our focus and vision is a main factor, as in what the Savior taught the rich young ruler, and what the scriptures teach us about prosperity and idols.  When our focus disengages from God and the Savior, things that are good with Him, become unvirtuous and lead to ends other than what would make us most happy and ultimately to God.

     These ideas help in my family's education because it tunes me in to what the focus and the balance should be. This article, whether written or not, teaches me to look for God and refocus our efforts to what he would have us do, to keep all of our endeavors virtuous.  This reminds me to work toward not only developing competence, but also character.  Both are essential in a person seeking to be truly intelligent.  I want my children to be courageous and also considerate.  One with out the other is incomplete and will not have the power it could and should.  Erskine challenges me to look inside and not be content with others' definition of intelligence, but to truly seek the Source.  

My family can benefit from understanding the responsibility that we have, not only to be good, but also to be wise.  We have been given a mind that is capable of thinking great thoughts and discerning divine, as well as, every day truths, and it is good and right that we should work to devlop that gift and use it to serve others for His glory.

John Erskine's most important premise, in his article, The Moral Obligation to Be Intelligent  (1915), is that intelligence, in his time in England, was not valued as highly as character or integrity.  Not only valued less but even thought of as evil; 'that a choice must be made between goodness and intelligence'.  That this is borne out in their history and literature.  When in fact, wisdom and understanding come from God and are necessary to make known His will.

Here is my blogpost 

http://publiusgreenman.blogspot.com/2015/06/to-be-moral-or-to-be-intelligent-that.html

I also posted it on my Facebook page and am waiting to share it on the Monarch Webwork page that will be created.

After reading the article I have some things to ponder.  It seemed as if he were suggesting that intelligence is more important than being good.  I am not sure I agree with it being more important than being good.  Rather I believe that one who is good is also gaining intelligence.  He uses many different books and authors to illustrate how we undervalue the importance of intelligence.  I feel a bit unintelligent as I realize how many of these books I have to read and understand.  Does intelligence only come from reading all these books and attaining knowledge or does it come through actively searching out truth in all its forms?  I believe God is intelligence and he is good.  I think both are needed.  There are those that may have a large amount of knowledge but because they are not good intelligence is not a virtue to them.  It is a vice.  It blinds them to the purpose of such knowledge.  On the other hand I don't believe a person who is good will remain ignorant. They must seek after intelligence.  The feelings we have to be and do good compels us to learn more so we can be of more service. I have much to learn myself.  I do it because I want to be good. This article solidifies the reasons I want to increase in wisdom and learning for me and for my family.  We have a purpose.  We are a family who know what we want to do with our intelligence.

The most important premise of this article, in my mind, is that to even begin and know how to pursue being virtuous, one must understand how and what that means, it takes what the Bible calls wisdom and intelligence to start down that path, that most people long to be.

This article can and already has helped my family by inspiring me to make sure my children know their mission in life before they leave my home, and an outstanding education is imperative in achieving it.  Happiness is also wrapped up in this bundle of wisdom/intelligence and virtue.  So why would any mother want anything but intelligent and virtuous children if their happiness depended on it.   

The value of reading this article is inspiring yourself to keep on keeping on, to focus and know that my children need to witness me striving to gain wisdom, in hopes that they too always strive for knowledge.  Intelligence is the key to being virtuous, and being virtuous is a key to happiness.

1). What is the most important premise of this article- in your mind?
I believe the premise of this article is to cause within the reader self-reflection. To have them examine what they believe to be valuable, good and virtuous characteristics in a man; the question of whether or not they celebrate moral character above mental intellect. 
I feel that Erskine would show that goodness and intellect may dwell in harmony within the heart of one man; that both are desirable in order to live a full life; and that action is separate from the man. 

2). How can this article help you in your family's education?
I have always valued wholesome and moral character. And that is what I have desired for my children- as well as for myself. But this article has shown me that knowledge is just as vital to the composition of a whole man as character is. There are many virtues- and intelligence should be numbered among them. 
I have also seen that knowledge lifts our desires to higher levels. And that we are enabled to face the many challenges of life when we have intellect as our guide. Perhaps this is because we have exposure to the great minds and wonderful ideas of others, rather than being left to our own minds. In Bendigo Shafter by Louis L'Amour, he speaks of the importance of furnishing our minds with great thoughts and ideas. And that this furnishing is the responsibility of each one of us. For no one has the access, ability or power to do it but ourselves. Here is the quote, "A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner, so if one's life is cold and bare he can blame none but himself. [We] have a chance to select from some pretty elegant furnishings." 

3). What is the value of reading this article?
To persuade and call into question what we believe to be true about education. Erskine shows that goodness is not the only key to happiness- nor does it ensure it. This article instills the desire to be prepared by gaining intelligence. And we must use every opportunity and resource available to increase in our knowledge. Because both goodness and knowledge are needed for securing what is necessary for a complete life. We must be constantly seeking and pondering and evaluating ourselves in order to progress. And I felt that a very important point to consider is that questioning and seeking are, in nature, godly.