Many people have different opinions on how a college education changes a person. In John Henry Newman’s case, his “Ideas of a University” defines college education as to “training good members of society”. Unfortunately, what he has described does not necessarily represent the situation as a whole, even though some of the issues stated are still true to this day. Thus, the concept of a “Liberal Arts” education presented by Newman is no longer wholly acceptable, and requires major adjustments because of the passage of time and changes brought about by it.
In his article, Newman is advocating Liberal Arts education in the eighteen hundreds. However, one must note that a hundred years time can bring about many changes, one of these being the role of education. It might have been true back then that a person who has gone to college is a better person than those who have not, but in this day and age, it is safer to say that that is not always the case. His stereotyping of society as a whole in claiming that only those who have undergone education in the “Liberal” forms are “good members of society” is somewhat narrow-minded. What about those who have decided to specialize in their abilities? Are they inferior in comparison to the Liberal graduates? Or how about those who were not able to complete any form of higher education but still are able to contribute to society? Are they any less of a human being?
Likewise, Newman says that a Liberal education does not necessarily create the productive members. It only trains them and let them reach their potentials. His acknowledgement that Liberal graduates aren’t necessarily all great figures in human history concedes that there are other ways to reach one’s potential. In reality, there are cases today where those who have not pursued Liberal Arts education performs better in the world than those who have. Yet, this is pivotal on how one defines Liberal Arts, and in Newman’s case, he defines all sciences that constitute knowledge as Liberal Arts. This broad of a definition can be detrimental, as a skimming of all subjects instead of concentrating on a few core subjects can prove to be harmful in improving the quality of society. Many of today’s college students pursue what they deem as the limit their potentials, and not all of them are on the Liberal Arts track. Indeed, the structure of universities today merely denounces Newman’s theory. If what Newman proposes is feasible, then why are there many fields of careers? Why are universities today a collection of numerous colleges in specialized fields?
Despite all this, Newman’s theory does have one part that is still true today. His comment on how a Liberal Arts view can give a person a wide variety of skills which can help them travel in any circle they chose is probably the most important advantage a Liberal Arts education can provide. In giving students a broad range of knowledge, it prepares them to face the ever-changing world and enables to adapt to their environment at will. Compared to those who have specified their education already, these Liberal Artists can postpone their specialization until they have seen the world and are certain of what they want to do. In some situations, this ability can be priceless. Also of note, with their broad set of viewpoints, they are more capable of understanding others. Newman’s descriptions of a person’s ability to live anywhere and go anywhere with a liberal arts education does infect one with a bit of wanderlust. His wording of the person in the article almost identifies the person as a traveler, going about the world seeing things, doing things, enjoying life, and pursuing happiness. Needless to say, this is one life style some can be righteously envious of.
Newman’s theory isn’t fully obsolete, but it does deserve some reconsideration. In the face of today’s demands, a liberal arts education is no longer as adequate as before. Granted, liberal arts will prepare the students for the world, but they will also require technical skills in order to be successful. His concept of liberal arts was perfectly acceptable one hundred years ago. However, in this day and age, the phrase “liberal arts” is no longer applied to the full range of knowledge in which Newman based his argument upon. It is no longer adequate for students to be only studying the basics of all the subjects instead of delving into the depths of a specific field in order to find a proper niche in today’s world. The positions of doctors, engineers, and scientists now require more specialized training than before. Therefore, in order to contribute to humanity in general, they need to utilize what little time they have and concentrate on their “majors”. If a broad-based education is required, then integrate it into the earlier steps of education rather than in the university. The university should be a place where one gains the professional skills to reach their potentials.