Enlightenment through Liberal Education: Values and Attitudes

Abstract

Contemporary education, with its heavy focus on content, risks becoming overeager, losing sight of its true purpose: fostering certain values and attitudes in students. Unlike computers, humans aren't just repositories of information; education should evolve them into thoughtful individuals. This text highlights the importance of restating the objectives of a liberal education in contemporary terms to address the alienation and fragmentation in today's technologically advanced society. Fifteen aspects of a liberal outlook are discussed, emphasizing practical communication, resisting injustice, avoiding superficial judgments, and fostering genuine understanding and human connection. These points underline the necessity of logical thinking, exploring motives, and integrating scientific humanism in social conflict resolution. The aim is to maintain a proper relationship between individuals in our complex urban civilization, ensuring education nurtures human relationships amidst social atomization. Research questions include: How can liberal education adapt to modern technological societies? What is the core valuing a liberal education should instil? The answers suggest that education must go beyond content delivery to instil critical thinking, empathy, and a balanced view of human relations, adapting to the complexities of modern life while maintaining its foundational ideals.