Four hundred fifty-one degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at
which paper burns. It is also the title of a novel by Ray
Bradbury. Or is it the degree that represents the angle of a
certain arc measurement?
Whatever it is used for, degree is such a word that gives great
impact on things. You know why? Because it serves many functions
and many definitions.
In the typical study of linguistics or grammar usage, this
powerful word is defined as a situation on a range of strength
or quantity. For example, you may use it in a sentence like, " a
higher degree of tolerance."
It may also represent the intellectual or educational capacity
of an individual. Usually, the word degree is used to represent
the honor that a person was able to finished during his or her
pursue for a certain curriculum.
In mathematics, it refers to the size of the angle, usually
reflecting a full 360º revolution. It made wonders in the field
of astronomy, earth's measurements, and even in aviation and
other trigonometric functions.
In health, it is the measurement of temperature. It signifies
the amount of heat or coldness of the environment or the state
of a certain matter.
But the most essential concept of the word is its association to
an individual's ability to pursue his or her dreams because of
the educational attainment that he or she has achieved.
I can still remember my grandmother who used to remind me of how
important it is to earn a degree in college. She used to tell me
how she worked hard so as to be able to provide her children
with a good quality of education.
In a small town where most people were content with a secondary
education, her dogged pursuit of a college degree for all her
children was scorned and laughed at by her neighbors.
They incessantly asked, "Why would anyone go to the trouble of
sending her kids to school when she barely has the money for
food? She is just showing off by trying to do what is out of her
reach."
It is true that nowadays, earning a degree in college is no
longer a right but a privilege especially to those who can
afford it. With the high tuition fees, sending your child to
college can be a financial burden, indeed.
But the fact remains the same. A college degree holder can earn
more than a high school graduate. So, whether it is too
expensive to go to college, a lot of people are still striving
hard to earn a degree. This just goes to show that there are
still many people who value education.
In fact, in a report made by the Carnegie Foundation in the
U.S., having a college degree initiates people to be more
cultured, more rational, more open-minded, more consistent, and
less authoritarian.
Hence, with this kind of attitude and characteristics in our
people we can be assured of a more stabilized economy, increased
tariffs and revenues, increased labor force, and a more
independent nation detached from any financial obligations in
other countries or financial institutions.
So, whether the word has a great impact in the society, in
science, or in mathematics, still, the word degree is such a
powerful word that can create great changes in the human
history.
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