<p>Yes, gladmom, great points. The genius Jefferson knew as much when he set up the idea of the public school system to help give education to the greatest number. He knew that if mankind were going to have this great (new+) concept of rule by the people, democracy, that an educated populace was essential, else you’d end up with the chaos that was then happening in France. </p>
<p>Your point about the mentally ill implies a greater knowledge of people and socio-biologic processes; so it entails knowledge, empathy, perspective, compassion.</p>
<p>+we know the ancient Greeks conceived and implemented the idea of democracy - hey, that’s history - but something kind of halted its growth and evolution - hey, more history; this bit itself is a testament to gladmom’s statement.</p>