Education for Profit, Education for Freedom

Education for Profit, Education for Freedom

The importance of a liberal education to cultivate humanity and produce descent global citizens in contrast to the education that is based on economic profitability is the main focus for this essay. A panel discussion was held to discuss Martha Nussbaum's most recent article: Education for Profit, Education for freedom. The panel consisted of Dr. Judy Whipps, professor of Liberal Studies and Philosophy, and both Dr. Dwayne Tunstall and Dr. John Uglietta, professors of Philosophy. Dr. Andrew Spear, professor of Philosophy, officiated as moderator for the discussion.

The event began with the introduction of the members of the panel, and outlining the structure of the discussion. It was pointed out by Dr. Spear that the discussion would be based in part on Martha Nussbaum's article, but would also refer to her other writings regarding liberal education. Dr. Whipps opened the event with the definition of what liberal education is and how that compares to the liberal arts. Liberal Education is considered an approach to learning and is based on the idea that things and situations transform us. The liberal arts, is described as a liberal education that focuses on the specific disciplines of the sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences. Dr. Whipps further explained that the knowledge gained from a liberal education, according to Nussbaum, should be used for self- criticism and cultural criticism and that this develops the skills needed to make judgments and is one of the processes of wisdom.

In the article, Martha Nussbaum communicates her beliefs that citizenship should extend beyond one's own country, that it should encompass the world as a whole. There are three values that are crucial in the development of a global citizen, and that those values are interconnected. The first is the capacity of self- criticism and critical thought about one's own traditions and customs. To be able to learn to voice those criticisms, and by doing so it promotes a sense of responsibility, and therefore, accountability. First things that change are people's ideas, then their deeds. The value of critical thinking is necessary and develops an understanding of what it means to be a part of a diverse society. Through Critical thinking it is possible to consider other perspectives and situations, especially those of other ethnic groups, religions and castes. Similar to building blocks, each must be put into place before another can be placed on top of it so that a person may expand and grow. The last and most important value that is developed through liberal education is the skill or skills of narrative imagination. This is defined as the ability to imagine oneself in a situation very different from your own. What is a young person's life like in Harlem? It is through this skill of narrative imagining that. encourages the use of different perspectives