Forbes – Jordan Shapiro
“Fareed Zakaria’s book, In Defense of a Liberal Education, argues that it is a broad focus on a range of subjects, rather than on career or vocational skills that will prepare young people for the future. He reminds readers that the “liberal” in “liberal arts” has to do with freedom and generosity. The word “liberal” itself comes from the Latin, liberalis, which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as “of or relating to a free man, worthy or typical of a free man.” Therefore, it is no surprise—as Fareed reminds readers—that a liberal arts education has historically been a fundamental part of American culture. Today, however, “A classic liberal education has few defenders,” he writes. “Conservatives fume that it is too, well, liberal (though the term has no partisan meaning). Liberals worry it is too elitist.” Fareed and I talk about writing, business school, W.E.B. Du Bois, Plato, and, of course, education.”(more)