2016 Applicant – Allister Brausch

2016 Apllicant – Robert A. Klingler Co., L.P.A. Ohio Problem-Solving Scholarship

Allister Bausch – Wilmington, Ohio

The world is unquestionably stricken with turmoil. Military, religious, social, and economic conflicts rage all around the globe incessantly. No matter their manifestations, all of these conflicts share a common origin: Ignorance. Ignorance breeds many things, but the most dangerous is fear. It is because of ignorance in 1692 that 20 people were permitted to be executed for witchcraft; it is because of ignorance that an economically desperate Germany embraced the leadership of a genocidal fascist in 1933, and it is because of ignorance that in our own time, people of Islamic faith cannot board planes or walk down the street without the fearful scrutiny of those around them. As a catholic, I have seen firsthand the complications that can arise from dealing with someone with incorrect, preconceived, misconceptions about something important to you, albeit on a much smaller scale. Were I to be given the chance to alter one thing in this world, it would assuredly be to instruct the ignorant masses. It is my firm belief that as the world loses its ignorance, specifically cultural ignorance, it will gain peaceful camaraderie.

In Catholicism, there are seven spiritual works of mercy. They are to instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish sinners, bear wrongs patiently, forgive offences willingly, comfort the afflicted, and pray for the living and the dead. Whether one is a catholic or not, these seven actions are undoubtedly good deeds to perform for one’s fellow man. I maintain that if the ignorant are instructed, the other six actions will fall into place, making the world a better and more forgiving place. As mentioned before, ignorance breeds fear. Fear deprives people of their reason. Without reason, men behave as animals, fighting and clawing for any meager advantage with total disregard for whatever negative implications it may have for others. If people understand something, they are far less susceptible to fearing it, regardless of whether they agree with it. Mutual understanding of differences between each others motivations or ideologies is the key to safe coexistence and mutual prosperity. If globally we could could achieve a semblance of such patient comprehension, hateful violence and persecution throughout the world would plummet.

Unfortunately, educating the entire earthly population on other cultures and creeds is no small feat. It would require an unprecedented level of cooperation and vision, individually and holistically. Obviously, such an undertaking would require the wholehearted support of world leaders. To achieve this mass education, a sort of global curriculum would need to be created. Not worldwide Common Core, just an outline for one suggested class, World Culture, that would be taught the same anywhere on earth. Then, this class could be added into any government, and perhaps charity, operated school in the world. The result would be that anywhere one may travel, he would be met by a society with, at minimum, a basic knowledge of the world he comes from, and such a knowledge would enable him and his newfound peers to collaborate more effectively.

Conflict is antithetical to progress. We cannot practically move forward socially, technologically, or commercially if we are expending the substantial resources commanded by a conflict. Not only do conflicts drain our physical resources, they consume our thoughts, and no one can innovate when their mind is distracted with concern of whatever conflict their people are embroiled in. So, in the spirit of aiding my fellow man, which I feel is one of our paramount duties, I would rid the world of ignorance if given the opportunity, and thus placate the world.

Thank you to all of our applicants. Please check out the annual Robert A. Klingler Co., L.P.A. Ohio Problem-Solving Scholarship for current opportunities.