Donald Kagan - What is a Liberal Education?

In this article, Kagan argues that a liberal education varies depending on what era a person is in. In the era of Aristotle, a liberal education meant preparing a man for the world so that he can fit in with society. The people of the Middle Ages beleived that God was the source of all truth, and "to comprehend truth was to come closer to divinity."In the Middle Ages, they obviously studied in order to become closer to God. In the Renaissance, "their idea of a liberal education, the studia humanitatis, continued to include grammar and rhetoric from the old curriculum but added the study of canon of classical poets, historians, and political and moral philosophers." They enjoyed encorporating these studies, but they also included them because they would help a person to speak in a benevolent manner, and to become smarter. Kagan talks about how a liberal education wasn't always strictly for a career in those days. It was more for a well-rounded person who was able to fit in with the rest of the people. These days, a liberal education serves as a background for a career choice, as well as an aid to become a well-rounded person. I think this peice of writing is great because Kagan states his point and then references to the many different eras as his background. He states that a liberal education is different according to each era, and this is supported through the evidence in eras such as the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and Aristotle's time. Kagan's point and support was clear and straight forward.