Philosophy

Our Guiding Principles

Inclusivity
Even if our new college has a specific location that not everyone can attend or a fee that not everyone can pay, we still aim to be inclusive and welcome as many people as possible.
Craftsmanship
We are fascinated by craft, by art, by high aesthetics, and high quality. We aim to become better at what we do. We don’t expect us to already be good, only to want to become better.
Playfulness
It might seem that seriousness is fundamental to high quality work and learning but it might be the opposite that’s true. Playfulness and humour is not only how we can laugh at ourselves and notice (and accept) our unavoidable defects but it is also how we can just have fun.
Generosity
Deals and transactions are a fair way to work by making sure everybody is respected. We value and deeply utilise fair exchanges in how we work. But, many times, the unexpected joy of a gift feels superior.
Democracy
We aspire for democratic principles in governance, administration, organisation. We value consent and consensus and we disallow ourselves from taking actions that will cause pain to someone. We also aspire for democracy in the frame of knowledge. We have no interest in a teacher providing an expert’s final judgement on matters. Instead: may there be debate amongst everyone, one which results in everyone understanding the other’s position.
Exploration
What’s the point of a learning institution unless we are curious to explore the unknown? Whether it’s unknown to us or to everyone is irrelevant.
Community
Being together, learning together, collaborating together, celebrating together. We know we can do a lot alone; we are excited for what we can do collectively. We know we can make things for ourselves; we are excited to make things for everyone — in the service of the advancement of the commons.

Articles

Some of our articles that further describe our philosophy:

How can we include everybody if we only want to have the best? Meritocracy and Inclusion

Grading is a controversial topic in education. Let’s briefly explore the two sides: On Grades

Why don’t we offer our classes for free? On tuition fees and free courses

Nothing that grows follows a linear path. Learning doesn't either: Expansion and Contraction

In the beginner’s mind there is no thought, “I have attained something.” All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something.

Beginners Forever

Shoshin is the concept of beginner’s mind in Zen Buddhism. A beginner’s mind is open to all possibilities and thus capable of better learning. In the beginner’s mind there is no sense of internal achievement. Instead, there is curiosity to understand. In the beginner’s mind there is no judgement: there is no preconception of how things should be — thus there can be no judgement.

The book that introduced this concept to the West is Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, written in 1970 by Shunryū Suzuki, the founder of San Francisco Zen Center and a key figure in Western Buddhism.

The concept of shoshin — beginner’s mind — is the foundation of Shoshin College.