William Cronon's Only Connect: The Goals Of A Liberal Education

340 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: On the uses of a liberal education

In William Cronon’s “Only Connect…” The Goals of a Liberal Education he argues that the traditional liberal arts education is good for love and freedom. The author dive into ten characteristics that he uses to categorizes a person as liberally educated. They all relate to this idea of freedom as the educated person to be able to think in a “free” abstract manner and the humanity of these educated people. Love though in Cronon’s work is a stronger connection to both each other and to the world. All of the ten guidelines of Cronon describes liberal education boils down to this idea of a connection with the world. I believe this idea is best summed up in the following quote form the passage, “Education for human freedom is also education for human

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of A Student's Guide To Liberal Learning

    801 Words  | 2 Pages

    James V. Schall’s, “A Student’s Guide to Liberal Learning” wants us to understand that the nature of the universe gives us opportunities for different things. He addresses that the universe allows us to gain new knowledge in any place that we might be. In Schall’s “A Student’s Guide to Liberal Learning,” he mentions “one that is capable of altering us to intellectual riches that are almost never found in universities or in the popular culture.” From this I understood that the universe always gives opportunities to acquire and learn new knowledge. The universe allows us to learn different things. For example, things that might be facts or simply random things that are interesting.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The New Liberal Arts By Sanford Ungar

    395 Words  | 1 Pages

    All though “The New Liberal Arts”, Sanford J. Ungar uses seven misconceptions about liberal arts on why learning the liberal arts. And explain why is still relevant and will be for coming years. The first misperception that he advocates is that a liberal arts degree is no longer affordable. Vocational training is better alternative to liberal arts in today. In this recession it is a financially wise decision to obtain a career oriented education instead. Students may not able to find jobs in the field that they are training after graduate. Ungar argues that especially collage students find it harder to get good jobs with liberal arts degrees, which is not the case. Which is the second misperception is that graduates with liberal arts degrees

    Read More

  • Review Of James Schall 's ' A Student 's Guide ' Liberal Learning '

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Student Guide to Liberal Learning encourages apprentices to consider the significance of what is truth? James Schall, explains the nature of the universe as an open door to seek guidance through the knowledge of the great thinkers as an attempt to better comprehend the ultimate truth of our reality as a whole, to understand how things perfectly align with each other and how to find the ultimate truth that humanity continuously seeks. Furthermore, Schall states that: “…the truth comes from reality itself, from what is. Truth is our judgment about reality.” Schall lays out the initial quest as form of “clear knowledge of truth” while he persuades to stimulate and spark the curiosity of students to seek his or her own truth of reality through a two-step process:

    Read More

  • William Cronon's The Goals Of A Liberal Education

    760 Words  | 2 Pages

    Liberal educations benefit students in the long run, long after students have paid their loans. People are able to be informed on national topic, while also being able to be self dependent. Two qualities that are essential in the modern society. I believe it is important to have such a basic understanding of education and knowledge, just like what Nussbaum agreed too in her essay. However, I also believe the curriculum should be centered around making students a better person. Institutions should try to produce good people with the right intentions instead of just focusing on testing intelligence, similar to what Cronon focused on in his essay. If we can incorporate both of these important features into our liberal education system, then and only then, will we be thriving as a society. Graduates will have a good understanding of knowledge from an array of different fields, as well as having important traits that will carry on for the rest of their

    Read More

  • In Defense Of A Liberal Education By Fareed Zakaria

    900 Words  | 2 Pages

    But the best argument against a liberal education is perhaps the simplest. When students go to any college, they choose a major and take classes that are related to that major. However to get to those classes they have to take courses in , reading, writing, and history. I don’t think that Zakaria realises this. By the time these students graduate, they will be able to understand all of the technical aspects of their field, as well as being able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly. All of this without a traditional Liberal

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The New Liberal Arts

    790 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the article “The New Liberal Arts,” Sanford J. Ungar presents the argument of why liberal arts schools are still competitive and useful today. The beginning of the article immediately addresses the problem that Ungar is defending, “Hard economic times inevitably bring scrutiny of all accepted ideals and institutions, and this time around liberal-arts education has been especially hit hard.” The author provides credibility through his time of being a liberal arts presidents, applies statistics about the enrollment and job security outside of liberal college, he addresses the cost factor and how a student may find compensation, and that a liberal arts college is not preparing students for success. The article “The New Liberal Arts,” addresses

    Read More

  • Is William Cronon's Only Connect: The Goals Of A Liberal Education?

    1192 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even since I was young I constantly prided myself in thinking in what I considered a mature and logical system. I was never captivated by the social trends that my peers always seemed to hold in high regard. I would collect and store random bits of information from the various works that I read, and then turn that information into something useful be it a story or a school assignment. I was always extremely focused on myself due to my introverted nature, but as I grew older I began to question other people, why they did certain things and why they thought the way they did. It’s a complicated thing the human mind, extremely complex and difficult to understand. Every human who has ever lived on this Earth has never been the exact same, always

    Read More

  • Liberal Education: Why is it important in today's workforce?

    1617 Words  | 4 Pages

    Now, let us define liberal arts or liberal education. According to Michael Lind, liberal arts should be understood in its original sense as “elite skills” (54). We all know that liberal arts include cour...

    Read More

  • Three Reasons College Still Matters By Andrew Delbanco

    821 Words  | 2 Pages

    In recent years, many have debated whether or not a college education is a necessary requirement to succeed in the field of a persons’ choice and become an outstanding person in society. On one hand, some say college is very important because one must contribute to society. The essay Three Reasons College Still Matters by Andrew Delbanco shows three main reasons that students should receive their bachelor’s degree. On the other hand, many question the point of wasting millions of dollars on four years or maybe more to fight for highly competitive jobs that one might not get. Louis Menand wrote an article based on education titled Re-Imagining Liberal Education. This article challenges the main thought many americans have after receiving a secondary education. Louis Menand better illustrates the reasons why a student should rethink receiving a post secondary education better than Andrew Delbanco’s three reasons to continue a person’s education.

    Read More

  • On The Uses of a Liberal Education: As a Weapon In the Hands of the Restless Poor

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 1997 article, “On The Uses of a Liberal Education: As a Weapon In the Hands of the Restless Poor,” published by Harper’s Magazine, the social critic Earl Shorris described how political power could be achieved by a rather non-vocational educational discipline, the humanities. He emphasizes on how the knowledge of a liberal Education can be used as a form of weapon within the lives for the poor.

    Read More

  • Liberal v. Problem-Posing Methods of Education

    1517 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Henry Newman was a 19th century English theologian who was a part of the Oxford Movement and supports the concept of Liberal Education. Liberal Education is the active search for truth and knowledge by students. Newman defends his stance on liberal education by first defending the search for truth and cultivation of intellect. Newman argues that the cultivation of the intellect is an end that should be pursued for its own sake. To discover the meaning of truth is the task of intellect. Newman writes, "Truth of whatever kind is the proper object of the intellect; its cultivation then lies in fitting it to apprehend and contemplate truth" (Newman 168). Newman argues that in order to gain knowledge one must train his intellect for its own sake. He compares that being a student should be like a pro...

    Read More

  • Reflective Essay: The Value Of A Liberal Arts Education

    609 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is immense value in the broad and deep learning provided by a liberal arts education. Students are not only allowed, but encouraged to pursue passions while also discovering and developing new ones. It exposes students to new ways of thinking and new areas of study, enhancing their ability to see and understand the web of connectivity throughout the world. It provides a framework in which to develop and practice critical thinking skills and the broad base further supports one’s adaptability, allowing one to stay highly effective in a rapidly changing world. A liberal arts education goes beyond the classroom to impart timeless skills that enable students to be lifelong learners and thrive in an unpredictable environment. It provides an education for a lifetime, not just a job.

    Read More

  • The Reward of a Liberal Education

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    Newman defines liberal knowledge, or enlargement, as a cultivation or stimulation of the mind, with both mechanical (practical) and philosophical content, that builds an "intellect to reason well in all matters," develops character, brings about change, and lasts throughout life. (1.6.126-134, 2.1.50-52) Liberal knowledge is important because it brings a respect and balance to various disciplines of study, and aids in the pursuit of specific subject matters. This knowledge allows the learner to see their individual area of study in relationship to a whole. Liberal education does not compete with these disciplines but rather compliments them. (1.1.70-71) Ideally liberal education supports and open mindedness that promotes understanding and a willingness to entertain different ideas and perspectives. This philosophy can help to avoid what Newman describes as an exaggerated view of one subject allowing for critical evaluation of what is perceived. Enlargement opens the mind and allows it to "digest, master, rule, and use its knowledge," and by doing so become incorporated into, and a vital part of the environment. (1.9.687-695) This knowledge then becomes its own goal or reward, making it "desirable and worthy irrespective of the results." (1.6.141-448) "As we escape the pressure of necessary cares...we learn" (1.3.180-182) and it is this learning that "lasts through life." (1.1.80-81) Therefore, Newman's enlargement incorporates more than just rote learning of facts to seek truth and inter-connected meaning in the world. (1.9.656-660) As we process knowledge, discriminating between fact and fiction, it remains with us as a base for future reference.

    Read More

  • Liberal Education Case Study

    1209 Words  | 3 Pages

    Liberal education is what provides students with a broad knowledge of the wider world, it prepares them to deal with change and complexity as well as in depth study in a specific area of interest. With it we can develop a sense of social responsibility, intellectual and practical skills and the ability to apply these skills in real world settings.

    Read More

  • Essay On Liberalism

    1391 Words  | 3 Pages

    Modern day society is engrossed in a battle for protection of individual rights and freedoms from infringement by any person, be it the government or fellow citizens. Liberalism offers a solution to this by advocating for the protection of personal freedom. As a concept and ideology in political science, liberalism is a doctrine that defines the motivation and efforts made towards the protection of the aforementioned individual freedom. In the current society, the greatest feature of liberalism is the protection of individual liberty from intrusion or violation by a government. The activities of the government have, therefore, become the core point of focus. In liberalism, advocacy for personal freedom may translate to three ideal situations, based on the role that a government plays in a person’s life. These are no role, a limited role or a relatively large role. The three make up liberalism’s rule of thumb. (Van de Haar 1). Political theorists have

    Read More

More about William Cronon's Only Connect: The Goals Of A Liberal Education

Open Document