In Defense Of A Liberal Education

In Defense of a Liberal Education (2014) is a work of nonfiction by Fareed Zakaria. Zakaria is a journalist, author, lecturer, and political pundit who received a liberal arts education at Yale University in the 1980s. In this work, Zakaria uses his personal experiences as a student to argue for the utility of the liberal arts, professionally and personally, as they face rising bipartisan criticism. Cultural critics and educational experts widely praised the book for its clarity, accessibility, and argumentative strengths. Attacks on the liberal arts have grown in the decade since his work was published, making his defense more relevant than ever.

This guide refers to the 2104 edition published by W.W. Norton and Company.

Summary

Zakaria’s book is a collection of essays that began as a commencement speech given at Sarah Lawrence College in 2014. He emphasizes liberal education’s essentiality to the modern world. The liberal arts are not outdated or useless, as some critics would have us believe. Rather, a liberal education creates well-rounded learners and citizens who are well equipped for any career, with a mindset and skillset that strengthen democracy. A liberal education benefits everyone and makes life better.

The book combines personal reflections, educational history, and polemics.