"However, if one has already found their own path in practice, then rules and regulations should not become obstacles hindering one's progress. Otherwise, it would become another form of academic misconduct."
"To maintain fairness, we must acknowledge all aspects of professional competence, rather than stubbornly focusing on the theory," Shiller sighed, lowering his gaze, and added, "Moreover, speaking of theoretical level, the last paper he revised is passable, and would suffice as an undergraduate thesis."
"What really troubles me is that he didn't participate in the first round of internships; he also missed the second round. There's no way he could make up the required credits…" Shiller massaged his brow, saying, "I never imagined that I would find Bruce Wayne's graduation more stressful than he does."
"Honestly, professor, if you hadn't blocked his graduation, no one would find it strange that he graduated smoothly," Evans pinched his own finger and said, "After all, everyone witnesses his wealth; because of Wayne Enterprises' sponsorship over the years, no one would make things difficult for him."
"Do you think I'm too strict?" Shiller asked.
"Gotham needs such a strict teacher like this," Evans also looked out the window and commented.
"I understand that every student's starting point is different. If I demand the same goal from them, besides revealing my own arrogance, it would serve no other purpose and may even destroy their confidence," Shiller said in his ever-calm tone.
"I thought I had set the right standards for Bruce Wayne, but I found that I expected too much from him, yet also too little."
Evans was somewhat puzzled about what Shiller was saying, but Shiller continued as if talking to himself: "Expecting an orphan with mental illness to achieve excellent results may be too much to ask for. However, his progress in practice is surprisingly fast."
"If the standards are set too high, his mental stability might not allow him to dedicate himself fully to studious learning, however, if the standards are too low, it would waste his remarkable talent... What's the fair way to assess his achievements in psychology?"
"Are you troubled by this, professor?" Evans asked, then he straightforwardly suggested: "I think I have a good idea."
"What's your idea?" Shiller looked at him and asked.
"I believe the best way to evaluate someone's competency in psychology is through practical application."
"You mean let him become a doctor?" Shiller shook his head and said: "No, his mental state is unfit to provide treatment for others. He can't maintain a high-output status for a long time, otherwise it might affect his own mental stability..."
"No, I'm talking about non-medical applications, such as in daily life," Evans spread his hands and continued: "In fact, in daily life, we need to constantly analyze people's psychology, perceive their emotions, and react correctly."
"If you master this skill, it would bring a lot of conveniences in daily life. For example, when a person displays certain emotions, we can use theoretical analysis to understand the reasons behind these emotions, thereby clarifying the context of the situation."
"When a person exhibits a certain state, we can also rationally analyze to speculate their current psychology. If we can predict the other person's psychology in advance, we can take the initiative in the conversation."
"You have indeed learned a lot," Shiller complimented, then added: "Many students only complain about memorizing definitions."
"Professor, I think this is a very useful discipline, and so does Alberto. That's why we're so dedicated to studying it. He feels he can discern people's psychology through this course, and if they show any unusual signs, he can react in advance."
"What I'm suggesting as a more reflective assessment of professional competence is to allow him to enter a new environment and achieve certain results through communication and exchanges."
"But how do you know that his achievements in this unfamiliar environment are definitely due to his high level of psychology? What if it is due to other factors?" Shiller inquired.
"That depends on the extent to which he integrates into the majority of the community in the new environment. If he uses other aspects to gain an advantage, he might be treated as a valuable guest and receive great benefits, but they won't really integrate into the local community."
"On the contrary, if he can truly integrate into the majority of the community in a short time, then besides natural emotional intelligence and emotional perception, he must have used professional skills."
Shiller nodded, looking at Evans he smiled and said; "I was just mentioning the new gifted student I found, but I forgot that another one is still standing here..."
Lowering his head humbly, Evans chuckled: "I am sincerely sorry, professor, due to my unique background, I fear I might not be able to progress far academically. You have invested so much time and effort, but you have not received an accomplished student."
Shiller turned back and sat behind his desk, saying, "The Godfather once inquired about your academic performance. I answered honestly without excessively praising you as I didn't want him to hold too high expectations for the psychology major."
"If you don't have a gift in this field, it will bring you great pain. However, if you have such a gift, this pain is inevitable. Yet, a gifted individual who refuse to systematically study may turn this gift into a lifelong affliction. But with education, perhaps this affliction could turn into therapy."
"The extraordinarily talented student I've been speaking of is in such a situation. He has too many questions waiting to be answered. If those questions remain unanswered, causing him to become an anomaly, he might fall apart sooner or later."
"Psychology cannot completely answer his questions. No discipline in this world can fill the hearts of such individuals. But at least it can let him know that he is normal, and prevent him from stepping into a deeper abyss."
"I once told the Godfather that studying psychology is either madness or death..."
"But in actual fact, the causality is reversed - only those who are mad or desperate really want to delve deeply into this subject."