On Campus
Cornel West and Robert George Talk About the Purpose of a Liberal Education
Scholars Cornel West and Robert George demonstrated that it鈥檚 possible to have a deep bond and mutual respect, even when you disagree on fundamental issues. Speaking at an event on campus Dec. 6 moderated by SPA Associate Professor Thomas Merrill, the two professors underscored the importance of engaging in civil dialogue and the value of a liberal education.
鈥淧eople don鈥檛 understand the ways in which love is so much deeper than politics,鈥 said West, a professor of philosophy at Harvard University, known for his progressive views. He and George, a conservative legal scholar at Princeton University, have taught together for years and made appearances around the country promoting free speech.
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鈥淲e live in such polarized times, that you lose sense of the humanity -- you see it within families, within communities, within religious groups,鈥 said West, who referred to Washington, D.C., as the power center of the world. 鈥淚f everything is about power, the first casualty is truth.鈥
The scholars, who spoke of their friendship and referred to each other as 鈥渂rother鈥 throughout the evening, said building trust is crucial to having meaningful conversations. Otherwise, talking with someone with whom you disagree can feel like an assault. They each explained that if there is an understanding, it鈥檚 possible to engage and hold each other accountable.
"Higher education can promote this dialogue," said George. "While college should prepare graduates for careers, the more important purpose is to provide students with an opportunity lead the examined life and be open to new ideas. To lead truly a human life in highest sense, means to be uncomfortable."
The professors shared that students should allow themselves to be challenged.
鈥淯nderstand the value of truth for its own sake. That is the vaccine to prevent you from falling so deeply in love with our own opinions,鈥 George said. 鈥淭hat is the recipe for avoiding dogmatism. Be engaged, but don鈥檛 be dogmatic. Demand that this university challenge you.鈥
More than thinking a degree as a ticket to living large and being obsessed with status, West explained an education can cultivate a critical consciousness.
鈥淭hink for yourself,鈥 said West. 鈥淟earn how to love truth, goodness, and beauty. Learn how to love your neighbor.鈥
"A variety of voices need to be heard on college campuses," said George. 鈥淎cademic freedom belongs to people on the left and the right 鈥 everybody, and everybody equally. Challenging is central to education.鈥
West and George encouraged students to read writings from a variety of philosophers and get to know and become friends with people who have different perspectives and life experiences.
At the event, SPA Dean Vicky Wilkins announced the creation of a new 鈥淟incoln Scholars Program鈥 next fall that will give freshman and sophomores the chance to learn with students from various political and religious backgrounds. Together they will build intellectual communities as they read a variety of books on political thought and philosophy and have small group conversations and retreats.
The event was sponsored by SPA's Political Theory Institute, AU Kennedy Political Union, and College Republicans, , and the .
A complete recording of the event will be posted soon.