What Education Is For - William Deresiewicz

Summary

The speaker critiques the modern view of higher education, which emphasizes career-focused subjects like math and science at the expense of liberal arts. Drawing on cultural and historical examples, the speaker challenges the prevalent notion that education is merely about acquiring skills for employment. Instead, they argue that college should be about cultivating critical thinking, self-awareness, and the ability to question societal norms. The discussion highlights the growing influence of money and status in educational choices and stresses the importance of education in fostering a deeper understanding of life and the world around us.

Takeaways

• 😀 College is not just for gaining skills for employment, but for questioning deeper societal and personal purposes, as framed by the question 'what are people for?'
• 😀 The current discourse often prioritizes practicality and employability in education, sidelining the value of liberal arts and critical thinking.
• 😀 Society's current view on education focuses on income and job outcomes, with less emphasis on the importance of a meaningful life philosophy.
• 😀 The public message that happiness comes from wealth and fame has significantly influenced the goals of students, who now prioritize financial success over personal growth.
• 😀 Education should teach you how to think critically, question assumptions, and form your own conclusions rather than simply following societal norms.
• 😀 Many students enter college with preconceived notions shaped by society, and education should help 'unlearn' these biases.
• 😀 Society is filled with propaganda, biases, and false narratives that shape our thinking, and education's role is to help us see through these layers.
• 😀 True education, especially liberal arts education, aims to liberate students from blind adherence to opinions and teach them to recognize and question these views.
• 😀 The college admissions process has become an overarching force that influences students' entire educational journey, often from a young age.
• 😀 Education's primary goal should be developing the capacity for skepticism and self-reflection, empowering students to shape their own dreams and beliefs.

Q & A

What is the central question posed in the transcript, and who is credited with it?

The central question posed is 'What are people for?' which is credited to Kurt Vonnegut, who argues that this question is fundamental to understanding life, society, and education.

Why does the speaker express anger towards the president's comment on art history majors?

The speaker is angry because the president advised students not to major in art history, a comment that reflects a narrow view of education focused solely on job prospects rather than broader intellectual exploration.

How does the public discourse around higher education affect students' perceptions?

The public discourse, dominated by talk of employability in fields like math and science, creates the impression that education's primary purpose is to secure a job, which overshadows the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.

What is the issue with the way 'top 10 majors' are presented in media?

The issue is that these lists emphasize employability and income over personal interest or intellectual curiosity, reducing education to a transaction aimed at economic success rather than personal growth.

What does the speaker suggest is the real purpose of college education?

The real purpose of college is to teach students to think critically, develop skepticism, and question the assumptions and narratives that shape their lives, rather than merely training them for specific jobs.

How has the societal focus on money influenced students' expectations of college?

Society's emphasis on wealth and fame as measures of happiness has led to a shift in students' priorities, with many now viewing college primarily as a means to become financially successful, rather than seeking a meaningful life philosophy.

What is the comparison made between the arts and business majors in terms of college statistics?

Business majors now represent 21% of all college majors, significantly more than the combined 14% for all arts and humanities disciplines, highlighting the growing preference for fields seen as more directly linked to financial success.

What role does the college admissions process play in shaping students' education and ambitions?

The college admissions process drives much of students' educational decisions from an early age, often leading them to prioritize meeting the requirements of prestigious schools over pursuing subjects that genuinely interest them.

What does the speaker mean by saying that education should 'liberate us from doxa'?

The speaker is referring to the concept of 'doxa'—conventional wisdom or popular opinion that limits critical thinking. A real education, especially a liberal education, helps students recognize and question these societal norms, allowing them to think independently.

How does the speaker describe the influence of societal messages on individuals?

The speaker suggests that society constantly bombards individuals with propaganda, advertising, political rhetoric, and falsehoods, all of which shape beliefs and limit the ability to see things as they truly are, requiring education to free people from these influences.