Liberal Arts, Essay Example

Liberal Arts play an important role not only during ones college education, but beyond that. John Henry Newman addressed his views for general education and knowledge in an individual’s chosen field in his influential book “The Idea of a University”. Education is not only limited to a specific topic, field, or belief, its intended to teach an individual a new means of comprehension and knowledge for them to succeed beyond that specific point in their life. Liberal Arts education is a very important tool in ones education. What forms an individual consists of many versatile factors, and without that diversity, an individual will be void of the ability to incorporate such rationale thinking.

Liberal Arts addresses an individual’s ability to develop rationale thinking and intellectual process, not just general knowledge in a specific field. John Henry Newman states “It neither confines its views to particular professions, on the one hand, nor creates heroes or inspires genius on the other.” (Newman p.177) The variety of readings within this course has contributed to the liberal arts education at this university. Being able to study, ready, and discuss such diverse literary work, has provided an ability to think past the black and white that a person normally sees. Newman compares liberal arts and education to what makes a gentleman. He concludes its not just social standards, education, religion, or an individual’s class and upbringing, but it is merely a combination of all of the above. Liberal Arts in a student’s education is too an intricate part of the combination that forms that individual.

Throughout this course, there have been many different types of readings, discussions, and papers that helped form a habit of mind. John Henry Newman described such reading as “In one case it is called Useful Knowledge, in the other Liberal.” (Newman p.112) When an individual chooses a major, or a field of study, the focus of education can distort the big picture of reality. However, if an individual is armed with one specific tool, they see every problem as only being able to be solved with that tool. It almost puts blinders on a person to see the options and utilize other resources that are available. Liberal education is not only entertaining, but it’s necessary for ones studies. It adds a piece of knowledge that is important for the entire learning process.

Throughout this course, there have been many readings that have broadened the personal habit of mind, or pushed beyond what was once considered the only way of thinking. The piece that personally affected me is Niccolo Machiavelli’s, “The Qualities of a Prince”. He never stated that “the end justifies the means”—instead he wrote, “…in the actions of all men, and especially of princes, where there is no impartial arbiter, one must consider the final result” (Machiavelli, para. 24, p. 49, and note 17). Personally that addressed actions, thoughts, and potential consequences. At any given point, what one chooses to do is their own personal right; however, the outcome of that decision is not their choice. All too often one thinks of what is best for them, personal gratification without realization that there will be repercussions of some type. Thinking in advance and considering the potential results is a good guideline for life, not just college. Liberal Arts education adds this type of thinking, reasoning, and education outside of the traditional business, math, and grammar courses that students are required to take. This education plays an essential role in not only during college but will useful throughout life.

References

Newman, J.H. “The Idea of a University.  Longmans, Green, and CO. and New York:  15 East 16^th Street, 1891. Print.

Machiavelli, N.  “The Qualities of the Prince,” In A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers, 8^th Edition, Lee A. Jacobus, Ed. Boston, 2010,  MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s. p49.