Michael S. Roth Gives Speech on Why Liberal Education Matters

President of Wesleyan University Michael S. Roth discussed the value of getting a liberal education versus going to a trade school to pursue a specific career at an event held on April 12 by The Friends of the Larchmont Public Library.

Roth has written six books and is the President of Wesleyan University. His speech was based off of his new book “Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters.”

The controversy lies in whether or not it is more beneficial for a student to attend a four year college, or to get a specialized education at a vocational school. Roth argues in his book that a liberal education is best for students because the learning experience they get is much different than one in middle school or high school.

“I call it liberal education rather than liberal arts because I don’t think it’s linked to any particular sets of disciplines,” said Roth.

Roth explained the four prominent moments that he says students experience in college, and not so much anywhere else. These moments are liberation, animation, cooperation, and instigation.

His speech also referenced American thinkers, focusing on their perspectives and arguments to enhance the point he was trying to make: liberal education is an important part of a person’s life.

Roth explained that with liberal education, students are able to learn a wider variety of things. These things aren’t just the basics like science, technology, engineering, and math. Students are allowed to be free thinkers, and explore new things under a safety net provided by their school.

“Learning to read, think and write is the key to liberation,” said Roth.

Roth explained how Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered a speech to the Phi Beta Kappa society, where he told them that school was only teaching students how to imitate, and that students were missing out on the opportunity to be individuals and create on their own.

Roth went on to talk about how college creates a new type of experience for students. Roth explained that one aspect of liberal education is that it makes the world comes alive.

Roth also explained that liberal education helps students learn to cooperate. Roth went on to say that cooperation is not always a skill that people are born with.

“Educations allows for students to challenge normative pressures,” said Roth.

In college, students can practice productive anti-conformity. In this environment, Roth explained that it allows for students to practice safe instigation, or questioning, of the status quo.

In the questions portion of the event, Roth discussed the argument for online education. Roth agreed that it does an enormous service for those who can’t afford to go to a 4-year college, or don’t have access to the physical college experience.

“Pragmatic liberal education is what our best schools should offer our students. That is a broad conceptual and contextual education. The payoff of which comes after you graduate,” said Roth.