A novel article, but I don't see where the article supports the claim that graduate school has ever led to a deeper understanding of the human condition. While the author advocates for the potential of graduate programs to be spaces for “truth-seeking” and intellectual growth, it doesn’t directly address the historical record of graduate education, especially in the humanities, or whether it has ever fulfilled that ideal.
I would question whether higher education especially in the graduate schools of liberal art colleges can ever led to deepen the understanding the human condition. I don't think this can come from a formalized study in higher education but rather a dedicated study to a wide swath of classical literature including philosophy, religion, and psychology. Graduate programs typically lead to a deeper focus in a specific area.
I would concur that there should be a more general course of studies in the humanities especially - one that is interdisciplinary and allows for the "truth seeker".
It would also be helpful to see how these schools that are pursuing more academic freedom actually do that. What their motivation is and how they deal with all the varied and sundry criteria required for a graduate degree.
Frankly, it would be quite exciting to see secondary schools teach logic, critical thinking, rhetoric and reading/discussing the classics as a stronger foundation for a deeper understanding of the human condition.
Some solid points here. I would direct you to a place like St. John's College in Maryland that has a four-year MA in Liberal Arts that is dedicated to intense study and discussion of the Great Books of the Western tradition. It's just one example of how graduate school can be a place for the renewal of the intellectual life. Nevertheless, part of what I'm certainly getting at in the essay is the need for more graduate programs to realize the need for a rededication to the Transcendentals as grounding their efforts above all else.
JDEY4731
While the concerns of the author re academic inquiry are laudable for the most part, isn't a commitment to the ultimate source of truth basic and necessary to all such pursuits so that true freedom and wisdom are discovered? Isn't this the necessary commitment to "ideological conformity"? I'm thinking of two important biblical concepts: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" and "wisdom" (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Second, Jesus stated that He was the ultimate source of true freedom: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). "You will know the truth and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). Jesus made it clear that truth is not an abstract but found embodied in Himself. These great affirmations are not only the basis of the commitment that those pursuing graduate training for the ministry embrace (which the author overlooked, I think), but all should embrace them whatever the focus of their graduate studies. For these reasons it has long been the conviction: "Theology is the queen of the sciences."
JDY
Great point! I agree that the pursuit of truth is fundamental for any human endeavor. My emphasis here was specifically directed toward graduate education, since it sometimes gets the bad rap of perpetuating "pedantry" rather than scholarship with any meaningful outcomes for society.
dfevens, Wow! An author that actually responded to a comment on his article. First time I’ve seen this on World Opinions. Thank you for listening to your readers.
A novel article, but I don't see where the article supports the claim that graduate school has ever led to a deeper understanding of the human condition. While the author advocates for the potential of graduate programs to be spaces for “truth-seeking” and intellectual growth, it doesn’t directly address the historical record of graduate education, especially in the humanities, or whether it has ever fulfilled that ideal.
I would question whether higher education especially in the graduate schools of liberal art colleges can ever led to deepen the understanding the human condition. I don't think this can come from a formalized study in higher education but rather a dedicated study to a wide swath of classical literature including philosophy, religion, and psychology. Graduate programs typically lead to a deeper focus in a specific area.
I would concur that there should be a more general course of studies in the humanities especially - one that is interdisciplinary and allows for the "truth seeker".
It would also be helpful to see how these schools that are pursuing more academic freedom actually do that. What their motivation is and how they deal with all the varied and sundry criteria required for a graduate degree.
Frankly, it would be quite exciting to see secondary schools teach logic, critical thinking, rhetoric and reading/discussing the classics as a stronger foundation for a deeper understanding of the human condition.
Some solid points here. I would direct you to a place like St. John's College in Maryland that has a four-year MA in Liberal Arts that is dedicated to intense study and discussion of the Great Books of the Western tradition. It's just one example of how graduate school can be a place for the renewal of the intellectual life. Nevertheless, part of what I'm certainly getting at in the essay is the need for more graduate programs to realize the need for a rededication to the Transcendentals as grounding their efforts above all else.
While the concerns of the author re academic inquiry are laudable for the most part, isn't a commitment to the ultimate source of truth basic and necessary to all such pursuits so that true freedom and wisdom are discovered? Isn't this the necessary commitment to "ideological conformity"? I'm thinking of two important biblical concepts: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" and "wisdom" (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Second, Jesus stated that He was the ultimate source of true freedom: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). "You will know the truth and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). Jesus made it clear that truth is not an abstract but found embodied in Himself. These great affirmations are not only the basis of the commitment that those pursuing graduate training for the ministry embrace (which the author overlooked, I think), but all should embrace them whatever the focus of their graduate studies. For these reasons it has long been the conviction: "Theology is the queen of the sciences."
JDY
Great point! I agree that the pursuit of truth is fundamental for any human endeavor. My emphasis here was specifically directed toward graduate education, since it sometimes gets the bad rap of perpetuating "pedantry" rather than scholarship with any meaningful outcomes for society.
dfevens, Wow! An author that actually responded to a comment on his article. First time I’ve seen this on World Opinions. Thank you for listening to your readers.