Challenging Robert T. Perry's Critique of Charles Murray's Education

Real Education

Is a four-year college really necessary for your desired occupation? Would you feel successful obtaining credentials in vocational training rather than a college degree? How would your parents feel with this choice? Questions like these are debated widely in our society today. In the essay, “On ‘Real Education’”, Robert T. Perry, the South Dakota Board of Regents director, declares “we need more, not fewer university and community college graduates” (625). He is responding to the contrasting stance on higher education that Charles Murray stated in his book, Real Education. Perry challenges Murray’s main claim that our country is wasting resources and time sending so many Americans with low intellectual capacities to college. His purpose is to reveal how Murray’s suggestion of reducing the number of college-enrolled students “would interrupt the pipeline of skilled workers, making it nearly impossible to meet the needs of a society that has defined postsecondary credentials as an entry point for most professions” (625). To support his stance, Perry explains how making education available to all will benefit the individual, their community, and the society as a whole. Perry’s argument would seem strong and very effective if the audience does not verify the opposition’s source. This may be what he hopes for. On the surface, Perry convincingly delivers a well-planned, casual argument through the organization, evidence, and solutions utilized. Unfortunately, the fallacies underlying his techniques and opposing views are easily identifiable, therefore weakening the essay’s overall efficacy.

Perry’s position on the South Dakota Board of Regents makes him credible in his knowledge regarding education. His essay originally ...

... middle of paper ...

... and solutions. The appeal to the reader’s emotions is an effective strategy to convince the reader. If the reader has access to Murray’s work or is aware of the fabrications, Perry’s fallacious approach to disprove the counter argument poses the most problems. Providing factual interpretations and then challenging those views is the ethical, fair way to conduct an argument; therefore, his deceitful half-truths crumble the effectiveness of Robert T. Perry’s compelling points.

Works Cited

Murray, Charles. “What’s Wrong with Vocational School?.” Practical Argument: A Text and

Anthology. Eds. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 631-634. Print.

Perry, Robert T. “On ‘Real Education’.” Practical Argument: A Text and Anthology. Eds.

Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 625-627. Print.