Download Why Knowledge Matters By E. D. Hirsch -.pdf- - Google [upd] Jun 2026

Hirsch refers to this as the "Matthew Effect," based on the biblical verse: "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."

This approach suggests that teaching a child how to think is more important than teaching them what to know. Consequently, elementary school hours are dominated by generalized reading-comprehension strategies (finding the main idea, making inferences) rather than the systematic building of background knowledge in history, science, and the arts. Hirsch refers to this as the "Matthew Effect,"

The search for a specific usually stems from one of three needs: Hirsch refers to this as the "Matthew Effect,"