"The Timeless Relevance of Catholic Liberal Arts Education"

With the rise in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers, many students are left wondering what is the purpose of seeking out a Liberal Arts degree, or more specifically what is the point of pursuing a Catholic Liberal Arts degree. A common misconception is that Catholic Liberal Arts teaches its students to "reject the legitimate contributions of non-Catholic perspectives and the contributions of those great minds before us." (Anne Harmon).

However, this is not the case. The Catholic Liberal Arts teaches its students to think freely. It differs from a degree in the sciences, as the Liberal Arts degree does not teach a particular skill. Instead, it teaches one to think and to draw upon the contributions of the greatest minds of all time to tackle and solve everyday problems. In the words of Bishop Robert Baron, "The Liberal Arts teaches us to think and think well."

The beauty of the Catholic Liberal Arts lies in its ability to guide students in comprehending various subjects—grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music—through a distinct Catholic perspective, fostering a strong foundation in these areas. Students of Catholic liberal arts possess a well-rounded education that provides them with the perspective to contemplate how their viewpoints, as well as those of great philosophers, artists, mathematicians, and scholars, integrate into various facets of life and its myriad challenges. When mastered, the Catholic liberal arts instill in its students the abilities to think critically, clearly, and responsibly. It becomes the basis for forming "new ideas, based on the proven knowledge and skills of those who came before them.

Mental Health and The Liberal Arts

The rise in mental health issues, coupled with the decline in Catholic Liberal Education, appears to exhibit an undeniable correlation. One of the prominent challenges confronting contemporary American culture is the emergence of Wokeism. This unprecedented phenomenon subtly instructs its unsuspecting adherents to fixate on aspects such as race, gender, and victimhood. This manner of thinking, consistently propagated to younger generations through incessant screen exposure, serves as a tool to imprint the notion that our nation comprises two distinct classes: those who face oppression and those who serve as their oppressors. This approach oversimplifies the complexities of the greatest minds in history, reducing them to mere attributes like their skin color, behaviors typical of their era, or other inherent human imperfections. Consequently, this line of thought compels the youth to overlook the monumental contributions that have propelled society forward in innumerable ways. 

Unfortunately, this way of thinking may be linked to the significant rise in anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, as many are advised to overlook the positive aspects in people and instead hyper-focus on the negative. They are encouraged to attend secondary education, but many simply choose lines of study that teach them what to think as opposed to teaching them how to think. The majority of American students are not free, rather they are "enslaved to the secular educator's cult of method" states Bishop Robert Barron. American students can not appreciate art "simply because it is beautiful to do so." Students today are unable to contemplate the great ideas of the most prominent minds, as they are compelled to focus on the color of skin and the intricate ways, they perceive it oppresses them.

A Catholic Liberal Arts education, despite its decline, holds particular significance in today's American culture. It guides its students towards independent thought, enabling them to synthesize insights from various realms of knowledge to address contemporary challenges with a blend of grace and an appreciation for all that is virtuous.

Common Misconceptions about the Catholic Liberal Arts

When it comes to studying the Liberal Arts, there are several misconceptions that need addressing, notably the notions that the liberal arts are considered 'liberal' and that they are impractical.In today's modern era, the term "liberal" often carries an association with a specific political party; however, this is not accurate. The term "liberal" originates from the Latin root word "LIBER," meaning "free." The pursuit of the Liberal Arts educates students in independent thinking, devoid of any connection to the more "liberal" American Democratic Party. A second misconception that must be addressed, is the notion that the liberal arts are impractical. This could not be any further from the truth as the liberal arts are "relevant to every person's life." As mentioned above, the liberal arts teach a person how to think. It draws upon a variety of knowledge throughout the course of history to solve a myriad of problems. The ability to think is one which would benefit all people.

To receive and education in the Catholic Liberal Arts is to receive a foundation in the art of thinking freely, with a solid foundation in truth. That foundation of truth becomes the catalyst for generating new ideas. 

                                                BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aquila, Dominic. 1997. “The Value of a Catholic Liberal Arts Education” October 3, 1997. https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/education/catholic-contributions/the-value-of-a-catholic-liberal-arts-education.html.

Barron, Robert. 2023. “Don’t Give Up on the Liberal Arts!” Word on Fire (blog). February 28, 2023. https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/barron/dont-give-up-on-the-liberal-arts

Harmon, Anne. 2019. “Five Misconceptions about the Liberal Arts.” CLT Journal (blog). August 11, 2019. https://blog.cltexam.com/five-misconceptions-about-the-liberal-arts/?utm_source=CLT+Exam&utm_campaign=17fc6c3c62-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_05_02_25_COPY_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4473d763ed-17fc6c3c62-120272857&fbclid=IwAR3x5rqijRp8DagbAlwxbQtrh9OtLXEdywHMJpY5ztZuAn1qOL2H6_j_1d0%20