"The Liberating Arts: Why We Need Liberal Arts Education" (Jeffrey Bilbro and Jessica Hooten Wilson, eds)

TITLE: The Liberating Arts: Why We Need Liberal Arts Education
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Bilbro and Jessica Hooten Wilson, eds
PUBLISHER: Walden, NY: Plough Publishing, 2023, (224 pages).
 

It is no secret that many of the world's most talented people choose the sciences instead of the arts. Just take a look at the richest people on earth such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, or Bill Gates. They are both in the science and technology industry. In fact, many of the biggest companies in the world are in the technical stream, like AT&T, Amazon, Apple, FaceBook, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Tesla, Toyota, TSMC, etc. With money as a key driving force in the world economic system, no wonder many talented people are lured away into the sciences in search of monetary gains. Does that render liberal arts education irrelevant? Even professors in the liberal arts stream struggle with job insecurity. This is made worse by lower student enrolment in the liberal arts. If all the best people jump ship toward the technology sector, what would happen to the arts and liberal arts? While we are free to pursue any course of study up the tree of self-fulfillment, how about using that freedom beyond self-accomplishment toward the greater good? This book brings together a collection of essays to show us why liberal arts education remains highly essential and relevant to society at large. Not only that, the contributors attempt to show us that it helps model the conversations that we ought to have on a daily basis. Instead of providing "best practices," the articles demonstrate how the liberal arts open up opportunities for all spheres of life. It is time to highlight the importance of liberal arts education and this book argues for that through many different perspectives. They deal with the purpose of liberal arts. They ask questions about the efficacy and effectiveness of liberal arts education in light of an increasingly technology-centric world. They look at the elitist and racist perceptions. They wrestle with the issue of outdatedness and the reality of the marketplace. They also challenge the poor perceptions of a liberal arts education. The ten categories are summarized in the form of questions.

1. What are the Liberating Arts?
2. Aren't the Liberal Arts a Waste of Time?
3. Aren't the Liberal Arts Elitist?
4. Aren't the Liberal Arts Liberal?
5. Aren't the Liberal Arts Racist?
6. Aren't the Liberal Arts Outdated?
7. Aren't the Liberal Arts Out of Touch?
8. Aren't the Liberal Arts Degrees Unmarketable?
9. Aren't the Liberal Arts a Luxury?
10. Aren't the Liberal Arts Just for Smart People?

Save for the first question, the other nine categories are helmed by three different contributors who would argue largely against the proposition. The editors give us some background information about the origins of the book idea. David Henreckson sketches the challenges to Liberal Arts Education today. Sean Sword notes how prisoners' rehabilitation depends heavily on reflecting on human qualities like kindness, civility, and love. Zena Hitz poses the question of the purpose of time. David Henreckson digs into the works of the brilliant novelist Marilynne Robinson noting how the book discussions bring along other benefits like the deepening of friendships and social interactions. Emily Auerbach ponders over whether the liberal arts are elitist by writing about "The Odyssey Project."  She argues that everyone needs a liberal arts education simply because everyone needs to find their voice in life. Brandon McCoy tracks the history of liberation and concludes that liberal arts education is essential to civic participation. Anne Snyder sees the Liberal Arts as helping us respect reality and stay in touch with the need to do good in the midst of frantic activities and endless busyness. Joseph Clair argues for the relevance of Christian-based universities, and connects Truth and Justice with Jesus. John Mark Reynolds debunks the notion of the Liberal Arts only for the elites by saying that diversity is the key to wholesome education for all humanity. Angel Adams Parham shares the impact of the Nyansa Classical Community on young people of diverse backgrounds. She also advocates for the teaching of different canonical traditions to prevent the production of "wizards without wisdom." Jonathan Tran likens literary canons to "a stock of texts" passed down from generation to generation, and that preserving these histories is worth fighting for. L. Gregory Jones shows how the  Liberal Arts encourage innovation while Jeffrey Bilbro brings to the fore the benefits of history. Becky L. Eggimann homes in on how science is a subset of human tradition. Steve Prince showcases the power of imagination and symbolism. Noah Toly agrees that Liberal Arts Education is not only relevant, but it is also even more important today by waking us up to the deeper relevance of understanding the nature of the world. Erin Shaw tells the need for stories to save us from cultural and personal fragmentation of identities. David Hsu talks about the need for engineers to have a Liberal Arts education. Rachel B. Griffis says that the Liberal Arts benefits professionals and leaders in their work. Don Eben believes that a Liberal Arts education should matter in hiring decisions. Margarita Mooney Clayton acknowledges the role of her mentor to put the needs of others before the self. Brad East claims that the Liberal Arts can reach out to the neediest of the needy, and is a channel for practicing Jesus' commission for us to reach out to all people, especially the needy in society. Lydia S, Dugdale follows up with an essay about how Liberal Arts Education can liberate one from lonely suffering and death. Nathan Beacom uses the story of Lyceums that enlarges the common space for us to be in tune with our neighbours. Jessica Hooten Wilson argues that Liberal Arts Education is for all people. Peter Mommsen concludes with how Liberal Arts learning is a lifelong endeavour. 

My Thoughts

This book touches on many facets of life which matter to all, if not most people in society. In arguing for the need and relevance of Liberal Arts Education, the contributors manage to cover topics of concern and interest for a broad range of people in diverse environments. Three things why this book is a necessary correction to some popular misconceptions. First, about the misconception that Liberal Arts Education limits hiring. On the contrary, several authors in this book have argued that a Liberal Arts background is not only essential, it enhances one's employability. While the "Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians" (PMET) or the courses in "Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math" (STEM) teach us the how-tos of life, the liberal arts remind us of the why of human society. It must be said that while engineers and technicians, even managers can be replaced by Artificial Intelligence entities, it is not as easy to replicate the heart and conscientiousness of what it means to be human. The Liberal Arts reminds us once again that we are not machines created to manufacture goods. We are humans called to work diligently and to enjoy the fruits of our labour. 

Second, about the misconception that Liberal Arts Education is exclusive only to certain classes of people. The authors did well to counter this by showing us how they are not only relevant today, they are needed to increase the acceptance of diversity. They do this by reminding us once again that we are human beings, people who exist not just to do things but to enjoy the work we are called to do. By showing us that the Liberal Arts are not elitist, not outdated, not irrelevant, and definitely not restricted to smart people, this book helps level the playing field of life and invites us to embrace all professions and all vocations. This preserves the dignity and respect of all people. Lest we start reducing people only to their abilities. In fact, the humanities equip us to deal with the very fact that one day, we might have to deal with the loss of production ourselves. We might lose our own cherished abilities through aging, accidents, or anything that limits our young selves. With a Liberal Arts background, we can be equipped with a better knowledge and awareness of the meaning and significance of life. 

Finally, this book is a needed correction to a society that is infatuated with economics, technology and scientific progress. We cannot simply depend on what we can do to add meaning to life. We need to know the why behind every innovation or invention. By bringing back the virtues of a Liberal Arts Education, it is hoped that society, in general, will have a more wholesome perspective of the Arts, the Humanities, and the Social Sciences. With the Liberal Arts as a complement, society will be better enriched, and this augers good for all in society. 

This book should be read by all, especially those contemplating whether to embark upon a Liberal Arts Education. 

Jeffrey Bilbro is an editor at Front Porch Republic and an associate professor of English at Grove City College. He is the author of several books, most recently Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News. He lives in Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Jessica Hooten Wilson is the inaugural Seaver College Scholar of Liberal Arts at Pepperdine University and a senior fellow at Trinity Forum. She is the author of several books, most recently The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints.

David Henreckson is an assistant professor and Director of the Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith and Learning at Whitworth University. He is author of The Immortal Commonwealth, a recipient of the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award. He lives in Spokane, Washington.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of Plough Publishing via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.