Gawande, ?Education of a Knife?

Discussion questions: Gawande, "Education of a Knife" (first publ. 2002)

1. What is the central issue Gawande raises in this essay? How do the personal experiences he describes in the first pages lead up to it? How do the other examples in his essay relate to it?

2. Most Gawande essays focus on other people; this one is much more about himself. What differences does that make? How does he present his younger self? How does he present himself now (what persona does he adopt)?

3. Is it ethical to practice on human beings? What restrictions should apply? Is it ethical to practice on cadavers? On animals? On "the poor, the uninsured, the drunk, and the demented" (24)? To what extent do you think technology will ever replace the need to practice on people?

4. Gawande notes that surgeons learn through practice, that tenacity is more important than innate talent, and that how people practice is an important part of success. So can one learn to practice? To be tenacious? To practice better? What in your life have you practiced persistently, and how did you force yourself to continue practicing?