“One of the benefits of a liberal arts education is that it trains the mind to think.” – Albert Einstein
Einstein was a famous “Theoretical Physicist”…who thought up amazing theories, that changed our lives.
Now Here’s Something Many People Miss About Einstein’s Achievements:
You see, he was a SCIENTIST. That means he specialised in the field of science.
…not the arts…like literature, drama, history, music, philosophy, languages etc:
Yet this great scientist – renowned for his achievements in Physics – asserted that a liberal arts education trains the mind to think!
One is (at Least I Am) Tempted to Ask: So What Do Science Subjects Do Then?
Don’t people do plenty of thinking during the study of science in schools and universities?
In truth, thinking of different kinds exist…or happen.
Studying math requires the student to accept certain assumptions in thinking up a solution. It also defines limits within which such thinking is to be done.
In other words, there are rules (sometimes strict ones) guiding thinking, and the outcome to be arrived at.
For instance, in math, physics or chemistry, you have to work with basic assimptions provided, in solving problems.
But in the arts, such as literature, emphasis is placed more on reading up material, then having learners voice their interpretations of the material read.
Rarely is there one particular correct answer.
Instead, different veiws as adopted by the learners, using their unique experiences are accepted, and reviewed for merit.
Very often, the entire class is required to engage in the process of reviewing each individual’s submission. Feed back is provided with a view to helping each person refine the thinking s/he employed to arrive at his/her voiced opinion.
Most importantly, each participant, over time, comes to discover that there is value to be had in patiently waiting to hear others out.
Even when they voice contrary opinions or dissenting views.
They learn that perspectives from which issues on various important subjects in life, can be viewed, can vary greatly from person to person.
And many times they learn that rarely will one answer cover all possible scenarios.
Learners are taught to be comfortable with challenging their own assumptions about issues. They develop a habit of constant self-evaluation.
Rigid views and intolerance, arising from narrow perspectives thus become alien: the mark of truly liberated minds!
It is this kind of mental attitude that a liberal arts education nurtures in those who undergo it.
Some of the greatest people in the world have been those referred to as “thinkers”.
They were often those who spent quality time and effort constantly reflecting on how things were, and how they could be better.
That’s why today, we still find ourselves quoting many of them, many years, decades, even centuries after they passed on.
Examples include Voltaire, Socrates, Plato, Emerson etc.
We all know Einstein came up with amazing theoretical assumptions which were proven to be accurate and on which a lot of our progress was built.
He was able to do that because he knew how to think.
His thinking was not hampered by limitations imposed by traditional society.
I believe this was the reason Sir Ken Robinson, in one of his videos about education, made the point that conventional schools all over the worlds tend to “kill creativity” in people.
We Need to Give People – Our Kids Especially – Real World Relevant Education
A real education has to give equal weight to the arts, the humanities, to physical education. ” — Sir Ken Robinson
“Kids prosper best with a broad curriculum that celebrates their various talents, not just a small range of them. ” — Sir Ken Robinson
View this useful slideshow titled “Quotes from Sir Ken Robinson’s 2013 TED Talk”
He pointed out that relative to other areas, schools put arts at the bottom of the curriculum, ranking them, by implication, least important…and according them the least attention.
The points made above, along with Einstein’s quote, and historical evidence available, indicates that arts are crucial for our evolution and progress.
That’s why I believe we need to
deliberately incorporate more liberal arts, into formal education we provide at all levels of society.
The study of subjects like history, sociology, philosophy, music, dance, drama etc must be made more integral to the completion of formal education in our traditional schools.
This will over time equip learners with the critical thinking skills that societies need, to ensure they can continue evolving/progressing.
My Opinion On This Subject is Based on Personal Experience – NOT Theory (A Confession)
I discovered great pleasure and fulfillment from attending courses in sociology, psychology, and philosophy during my stay in the university. And I came away feeling more knowledgable, even wiser about life, and the world in general from taking those courses.
Yet, I was majoring in Agricultural Extension Services at the time, so I could not afford to puruse further studies in them.
To make up for that loss, I developed a driving need to buy and read any books even remotely related to those subjects.
As a multipreneur, my core competencies are in mainly intellectually demanding vocations, that require considerable creativity and innovative thinking.
I can confidently say my deliberate self-study of the arts has been a crucial ingredient in my ability to succeed in various areas of endeavour as a multipreneur.
As you leave this article, take this thought provoking quote from Sir Ken Robinson with you, as a reminder of why you need to act on what you’ve read here:
“Many highly talented, brilliant, creative people think they’re not — because the thing they were good at at school wasn’t valued, or was actually stigmatized.”
I’ll add to the above quote by saying…
”and that probably includes your own child!”
A. Further Reading
1. This Wikipedia article explains that a “Liberal Arts Education”aims to “produce a virtuous, knowledgeable, and articulate person”.
Doesn’t that remind you of Plato, Socrates and co…?
In the early days, core subjects like “Grammar, rhetoric, and logic” were taught to students.
Today, we are told “areas of literature, languages, philosophy, history, mathematics, psychology, and science” tend to be the focus.
I recommend, strongly, that you read this article.
2. You may also find it useful to read this excellent article titled “Why Study Liberal Arts?” by Richard Sigurdson
He is a former Acting Dean of Arts, The University College of the Cariboo, Kamloops, B.C. Canada.
And he does us ALL a favour by providing a list of questions and answers that help to demystify “Liberal Arts Studies” in terms of their real world relevance/usefulness.
Indeed, his article will help ANYONE understand why Eistein said what he did, about the benefits of a Liberal Arts Education. I urge you to read it.
B. Sir Ken Robinson’s Videos You Can Watch Include:
1. How schools kill creativity(1st video)
2. How to escape education’s death valley (scroll down page to 2nd video)
3. Bring on the learning revolution(scroll down page to 3rd video)
4. Changing Education Paradigms
5. Why is Creativity Important in Education?
C. What Sir Ken Robinson Got Wrong (Huh?)
I always love to present information and education I offer on my website, in a balanced form.
That’s why when I encounter ideas that oppose those I advocate, and I feel they have merit, or are worthy of discussion/consideration, I try to highlight them.
Some people happen to disagree with Sir Ken Robinson. That’s not unexpected. Everyone cannot see things the same way all the time!
And one of them has articulated – very intelligently – the major points and areas they do not see eye to eye with him on this suibject.
I’ve read the article, and I appreciate the points he raised.
But to be fair, most of them actually do NOT prove Robinson is wrong. And I am glad someone was able to make this clarification – in the comments – to the article’s author.
You should read this article too.
If nothing else, it may help you gain a balanced perspective from which to draw your own conclusions.
Remember: What matters most is the impact in the lives of the leaners – who are, very often, our kids.
“A person who cannot “think”, and does not know he cannot “think”, will get himself – and any who depend on the output from his thinking – into lots of trouble!” – Tayo K. Solagbade