The liberal arts influence | Jillian Stevens | TEDxVCU

Summary

The speaker passionately advocates for the importance of liberal arts education, emphasizing its role in developing general knowledge and intellectual capacities beyond vocational skills. They argue that liberal arts provide a broad perspective, enabling individuals to navigate life's complexities and ambiguities. The speaker also highlights the personal contentment that comes from applying liberal arts knowledge to everyday life, asserting its relevance in a society increasingly dominated by science and technology. They conclude by urging recognition of liberal arts' value in fostering critical thinking and self-expression, essential for a well-rounded society.

Takeaways

• 📚 Liberal arts are defined as studies in language, philosophy, and literature that aim to provide general knowledge and develop intellectual capacities such as reason and judgment.
• 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of liberal arts in developing an open mind and specific skills to deal with life's ambiguities and complexities.
• 🏛 Liberal arts education is broad-based, preparing students to understand and navigate the world beyond the scope of their immediate studies.
• 📰 The speaker finds joy in seeing the connection between what is learned in class and current events, highlighting the relevance of liberal arts to everyday life.
• 🧐 Liberal arts are useful for developing intellectual capacities that allow individuals to make informed decisions and engage with complex issues.
• 💡 The speaker argues that liberal arts provide a sense of personal contentment and fulfillment that cannot be measured by money.
• 🌐 Liberal arts education enables individuals to ask questions about the world and analyze their surroundings, fostering critical thinking skills.
• 📚 The absence of liberal arts in society is illustrated through dystopian literature, which often portrays societies without the balance of humanities.
• 🗳️ Michael Lond's quote underscores the necessity of a liberal education for citizens in a democratic republic to make informed decisions and participate effectively in public life.
• 🌟 Liberal arts remain relevant and important in today's society, focusing on understanding the current state of various aspects of life and contributing to the future.
• 🚀 As the world becomes more dominated by science and technology, liberal arts serve as a grounding force for humanity, allowing for self-expression and constant analysis of the world.

Q & A

What is the definition of liberal arts according to Webster's Dictionary?

Liberal arts are college or university studies in areas such as language, philosophy, and literature, intended to provide chiefly general knowledge and to develop general intellectual capacities like reason and judgment, as opposed to professional or vocational skills.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of 'general knowledge' and 'intellectual capacities' in the context of liberal arts?

The speaker emphasizes these aspects to highlight that liberal arts aim to provide a broad-based education that equips students with an open mind and a specific set of skills to deal with life's ambiguities and complexities.

What is the common question the speaker faces regarding their study of liberal arts?

The common question is about the practicality of studying liberal arts, with people often asking why they don't choose something more technical like nursing or engineering that guarantees a job.

How does the speaker respond to the question about the practicality of liberal arts?

The speaker responds by expressing their love for learning and how the knowledge gained from liberal arts is reflected in everyday life and headlines, emphasizing the value of understanding shared humanity and the factors governing daily life.

In what two ways does the speaker argue that liberal arts remain useful?

The speaker argues that liberal arts are useful in developing intellectual capacities and providing general knowledge, enabling students to deal with life's ambiguities, and in giving a sense of personal contentment by applying knowledge to everyday use.

What does the speaker mean by 'life isn't clean' and how does it relate to the liberal arts education?

'Life isn't clean' means that life is complex and full of difficult decisions and opinions. A liberal arts education helps students to have an open mind and the necessary skills to navigate these complexities.

How does the speaker describe the value of liberal arts in contributing to society?

The speaker describes the value of liberal arts as providing a sense of personal contentment and the ability to apply knowledge to everyday life, which cannot be measured by money but is very relevant and applicable in society.

What role does the speaker believe liberal arts education plays in a democratic society?

The speaker believes that a liberal arts education is crucial for citizens to understand what is happening around them, enabling them to make informed decisions and participate effectively in a democratic society.

What quote does the speaker use to emphasize the importance of liberal arts in a democratic republic?

The speaker uses a quote by Michael Lond, stating that in a democratic republic, it is necessary for all citizens to have at least the basics of a liberal education to adequately perform their minimal duty, such as voting.

How does the speaker conclude the importance of liberal arts in the context of a society dominated by science and technology?

The speaker concludes by stating that liberal arts should not be discounted in a world where science and technology reign supreme, as they allow for self-expression, fulfillment, and constant analysis of the world around us, keeping humanity grounded.