Principles of liberal education : equality and access in western society

Abstract

The question of what is a Liberal Education in Western, post-industrial society today prompts one to also question the purpose it serves. This essay seeks to elucidate, through historical over-view, the various tergiversations that the meaning of Liberal Education has gone through since its inception in ancient Greece. It is examined in the social and political contexts of the various times over a progression through two and a half millennia. The themes of equality and rationalisation of processes, which have changed Western society, are drawn from de Tocqueville and Weber via the work of Daniel Bell. Technological advances are examined periodically while focusing on universities as the facilitators of both Liberal Education and the ideas that greatly impact upon society. Liberal Education is facilitated through the university, which is the most enduring institution of the Middle Ages. It is clear that society and the university interact constantly and affect each other. Over the time-span mentioned the individual and the state have re-defined their relationship at least twice. This is viewed in tandem with the standard descriptions and/or definitions of the three major types - or more correctly views on - of Liberal Education that have existed from Greek times to the end of the twentieth century. A frame-work depicting education in the most general sense is provided to create a reference point for this essay. Principles concerning the nature of a Liberal Education as it has been and should be are adduced. From these, the essay proceeds to look at the Western society of the twentieth century to seek how a Liberal Education, or lack of it, affects the state of affairs and the status quo. Equality and rationalism as they exist today are reviewed against the ideals of best education, best individual/citizen and the common good. Conclusions are drawn apropos of the efficacy of Western society's approach to Liberal Education today, and the problems of access and equality are re-visited. In sum, society has the effect that the individuals who comprise it wish it to have, and little of the best aspects of the liberal tradition seem to be heeded in the modern world to the detriment of humanity's moral improvement and common good. In fine, it is a matter of degrees - and of people, processes and prosperity, as well as the emphasis the individuals of society put on these.