I
didn't appreciate my high-school literature class much. We read
about people whose lives I couldn't relate to, and I didn't find it very
entertaining. My teacher explained that, with a limited life
experience, young people remain self-absorbed, knowing only their own
little world. Literature helps expand that world, enabling the
reader to understand other viewpoints, cultures, and
life-struggles. He learns that, although their customs may be
different, others have the same basic desire for security, love, and
freedom from want.
Later I learned that this aspect of education
is called a "liberal education," one that broadens the
student's viewpoint, promoting understanding of others and tolerance of
their way of
life. The American Heritage dictionary provides the following
definition:
liberal adj.
a. Not limited to (or by) established, traditional, orthodox, or
authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and
tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
A liberal education enables a
pluralistic* society—where mutual respect and tolerance allow different groups to coexist and
interact without the forced assimilation of any group, where it is
recognized that the beliefs of any particular group cannot
represent absolute truth. The alternative is a polarized society in
which each side is sure their way is right, and anyone that disagrees is
trying to destroy their way and must therefore be evil. That
mindset leads to the anger and rantings heard on talk radio.
In the Middle East it leads to Sunnis killing Shiites and threatening
women who don't cover their faces.
The term "liberal" has recently been
hijacked to mean favoring a welfare state and accepting
immorality. It has become the unspeakable
"L-word"—reduced to the equivalent of a four-letter
word. How, then, is one to refer to the original meaning?
The leading candidate seems to be "progressive," but this
reflects only one aspect of liberal-mindedness. I would like to see
"liberal" restored to it's former association with
enlightenment and tolerance.
Without liberalism, there can be no peace in a
world that is growing smaller. "My mind is made up; don't
confuse me with the facts" is supposed to be a joke, but it
reflects the ignorance that leads to fear. And fear leads to hate,
which leads to some level of warfare in society. An expansive
education can
forestall this ignorance and promote a liberal attitude.
"Fear" and "hate" are four-letter words;
"liberal" is not.
And that's my philosophy.
* See "Pluralism
(political philosophy)" on Wikipedia.
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