Higher Education Vs Liberal Education

Why do we have to be educated? There can be a number of answers that are not either right or wrong. Some people educate themselves on purpose to get higher educational degrees which almost guarantee high-paying jobs so that they can flourish in their lives. Others want education so that they can grow up in terms of mentality and intelligence or even for only enjoyment of learning the world. What Newman defines as true education is the education that is pursued for its own sake rather than the education that has a practical application. What he wants in the system of higher education is “liberal” knowledge, not “useful” knowledge. And people all have to explore various areas of education regardless of their major. But, is Newman right in applying …show more content…
In order to satisfy Newman’s implied requirements for a successful education, the current American system of higher education needs to focus on the general education more intensely. For example, most of colleges and universities require GE (general education) classes for students to acquire bachelor’s degree. However, current GE system is too shallow for students to explore the depth of study. We only need three classes in arts and humanities area to fulfill GE requirements. Newman would say this is not enough in terms of excavating the “liberal” knowledge in depth. In addition, we can choose classes that we want in each area, so in arts and humanities area we actually don’t have to choose humanity or art class but can choose architecture, English, philosophy, etc. Therefore, in Newman’s perspective American system of higher education does not work in the way Newman wants, but only mimics the very outline of his concept of “liberal” …show more content…
In economical perspective, this is a waste of time and labor. Young people who have a lot of potential to become any kind of specialist spend their golden years on study, which turns out that it is not useful in terms of applying to the society. There is always opportunity cost of something, and in this case the opportunity cost of education is works that can be contributed to the society. For instance, while I take math classes in the university, I can work in the car service center and repair cars for others and make money instead of spending hours and hours for solving math problems. Mathematician does not know how to fix his or her car, but they may know some equations involving the system of cars. Knowledge that cannot be applicable is a pearl that is not used as accessories. In macroscopic view of society, we don’t need many mathematicians, but we do need many auto mechanics. Newman’s system of higher education suppresses young people to become auto mechanics; this system, furthermore, will suppress other specialists, required to have a lot of work experiences rather than knowledge that can be obtained through learning in the class. Our society is like an ecosystem, which needs grass, a little insects, frogs, snakes, raccoons, eagles, and bacteria and fungi. Each animal or plant has its own unique role in the system. But if