Kelsey Briddle Keaton ENGL 1102-025 Joining the Conversation Part 1 Cast: Kelsey Briddle, Phenix, Iversen, Turbak,

Partington, Freedman Setting: All sources are together in Iversens apartment having a heated conversation about what a liberal education consist of and why it is important for every human being to study the subjects of this type of education, when suddenly Kelsey walks in with questions and debatable inquiries of her own Phenix: There is more to a liberal education than just religion and philosophy; there is mathematics, science, history and art. Iversen: I agree mathematics is a very liberating subject and could be classified under liberal education. Kelsey: Wait, math? How could math be involved in a liberal art curriculum? Iversen: Well, math in general requires logic; logic requires understanding fundamental pieces of an equation. When one can therefore determine a solution using a logical approach then it reflects the common goals of a liberal education. Kelsey: Well then, what are the goals of a liberal education? Freedman: Well, personally, a liberal education has many goals, which can sometimes only pertain to the individual. For example, one might pursue a liberal education through many subjects, and when studied as a whole they are liberating themselves towards understanding the

universe better. On the other hand one might not want a liberal type education and stride towards profession training, but might not understand the logic in his day to day work simply because he is only trained to do one thing and not to explore other possibilities. Partington: Well now, the most important aspect of this type of education is that it allows people to open their mind to the truth while seeing the real value of an object. Kelsey: Says who? Turbak: Okay, okay, first lets discuss how old the idea of a liberal education is. Alright so since recorded history, it was over 2,000 years ago when the ancient Greeks described as education that free men pursues without the burden of having to make or create things every day and one could ponder about the universe. For example imagine being able to do what you love for the rest of your life, without being paid, that would be great but it doesnt pay the bills. Kelsey: So whats your point? Partington: Wait, thats pretty dramatic dont you think? Turbak: No its not, many people today are doing things just for the money and its because they do not understand that they do not have to be miserable if they would just pursue the liberating aspects of this world. Think about it. Kelsey: Please explain Turbak Im confused. Turbak: My point Kelsey, is that the we have evolved to a point where meaningless objects are worshiped, people care about what other people think about their new tweet or instagram picture, shorts are getting shorter, there is no decency or shame anymore, reality television is FAR from reality, music is brainwashing our youth while news broadcasts are brainwashing our adults,

nobody thinks for themselves anymore, young children are exposed to sex and drugs and we are completely dependent on every aspect of technology. How can we reap the benefits that a civilization is supposed to bring us if we are no longer civilized? Phenix: Wait, arent we drifting too far from the original idea here? Kelsey: No, I like where this is going and I completely understand now. He is saying that we need to appreciate and expand liberal learning because people are losing their morals and values because of mass media and the education system. Basically I think the point is that by pursuing a liberal education one can understand the logic of the world around them without depending on outside sources to find themselves. Turbak: Basically my example of doing what you want even if you dont get paid should be the goal of this type of education. Liberating subjects allows a person to see or understand the true value of life through different subjects but also allows for a foundation of knowledge (not towards one trade or profession) without the need of money. When you find something you love to do then it is no longer a job, it is only a lob when you only do it for the money. Kelsey: So youre saying that pursuing a liberal education can put you on a pathway towards lifelong happiness, but struggling to pay the bills? Freedman: I think what Iversen and Turbak are saying is that the pursuit of a liberal education can mold your morals and values of life so that you do live life according to happiness and a true understanding of the universe and allows being an individual who does not abide by the current social code. For example one who does not follow the current trends of today and does the opposite of the crowd.

Kelsey: So, how can this type of education allow someone to view the world like that? Freedman: Are you asking exactly how they come to see it like that, or why? Kelsey: I guess I am asking how these various subjects allow a person to think freely and find happiness at the same time. Phenix: When one studies for example, philosophy, ethics and even some sciences, it includes lessons of morals pertaining to the society in that time of history. This teaching should furnish the student with an illuminating array of well analyzed options and principles for the guidance of responsible action.1 Therefore knowing that that decisions you are making are logical and reasonable, this alone can create happiness like no other. It is our duty to be moral and reasonable so in doing so one can feel liberated, knowing they did the right thing. Kelsey: So what about other subjects? I see hose teaching morals in different ways can help but not all liberal arts curriculum subjects teach morals. Iversen: Well, lets go back to the subject of mathematics. In statistics particularly the field becomes more than the rules and methods for dealing with data; it becomes more than the rules and methods for dealing with days; it becomes a way of acting and thinking about the world. 2 Kelsey: Yes but how? Iversen: Well in statistics it is concerned on how we can gain from limited information an understanding of the seemingly random world around us.3

1 2

Philip Phenix, The topography of Higher Liberal Learning , The Phi Delta Kappan, vol. 41, no. 7 (1960): 307 Gudmund Iversen, Statistics in Liberal arts Education, The American Statistician, vol. 39, no. 1 (1985): 17 3 Gudmund Iversen, Statistics in Liberal arts Education, The American Statistici an, vol. 39, no. 1 (1985): 18

Kelsey: I see, when one learns how to interpret small amounts of data and compare it to the world as a whole then one can understand the natural patterns of the universe and use it in their everyday lives? Iversen: Precisely, youve got the hang of it. Kelsey: So then what is your opinion of the liberal arts curriculum in todays schools? Phenix: Well I think most colleges and universities have incorporated most but not all of the subjects, I believe they are on their way to discard some of them. To me this is very sad. Soon enough there will probably not be liberal arts subjects in classrooms and all of the students will be trained on one basic subject to master through and have to repetitively work day to day on them. Kelsey: Why do you think this is? Phenix: Well, look at this society we live in. We are trained to focus on one subject throughout our college career which we will carry for the rest of our lives. Honestly I dont see how having a narrowed profession or trade can allow a person to feel as if they have achieved happiness and a thoughtful career when it is clearly on the political agenda. Kelsey: I am pretty sure there are people who have studied one subject and are pretty happy with their jobs. Maybe I do not understand you clearly, please elaborate. Phenix: For example, in almost every single college or university the business department is full of young people who one day wishes to work for or start a business. Well now as you all know, this economy is not very well put together anymore and studying a profession that is losing its

strife in the macrocosm of the economy cannot benefit anyone really. I see it as a surplus of people who will not find decent jobs in the field they are pursuing. Kelsey: Wow I never thought of it like that at all. I believe I understand this. So youre basically saying that we need more teachers, researchers, scientists who will have jobs right out of college, rather than people wanting to open businesses, because we have plenty of them. Iversen: Yes, I believe that is what he is saying, well put Kelsey. Partington: So what Im getting from this conversation so far is: In pursuit of an education, a liberal education is the most beneficial to society. The students who participate and understand the fundamentals of the subjects pertaining to a liberal education can increase the welfare and happiness and utility of the society and neighboring societies around them. Phenix: Yes and to understand why this kind of education is important one must look around them and learn from historys mistakes and strive towards a better future, not only for them but for society as a whole.