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Logic and Reason

Madi Galer

English 252
Dr. Karen C. Holt
01 June 2016

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Background
Moonlight reflects off the front of my bed. Could it be frost on the ground instead?
(Bai) These are the first two lines of a classical Chinese poem. When I was five years old one of
my favorite activities was listening to my dad read me poetry. I would lay in his crook and
listen intently as he told Chinese ballads and recited haikus. Sometimes we would memorize
poetry together; I still remember the lines to First Fig and Second Fig by Edna St. Vincent
Millay. As I got older, I came to love reading myself; I would spend hours poring over mystery
novels and adventure stories, often times forgetting to eat and check in with my mom. This
passion for words quickly developed into a desire to write my own stories. My favorites forms of
writing were poetry, journaling, book reviews, and reports. A love of words as a form of
communication has continued throughout my life.
In my high school English classes, I was introduced to literary interpretation and analysis.
I fell deeply in love with literature and found myself constantly looking forward to class
discussions pertaining to it. As I looked towards college, I thought that maybe I wanted to go into
the medical field. To start this process, I took the initiative and earned my CNA in high school. I
spent a summer working at a nursing home, and though I had many great experiences, something
was missing. Completely lost as to what direction I should go, I started my first semester taking a
series of basic foundations classes. My favorite one by far was English 101. I had a fantastic
teacher who challenged me to think deeply and analyze every side of an issue. It was in this class
that the light bulb turned on; I had loved language my whole life! Pursuing a degree in English
was the perfect fit for me.
Typically, when I tell people that I am an English major, they shake their heads, smiling
snarkily and say, oh so you dont want to make any money? or, youre one of those. These

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responses are stereotypes that have been built up based on societal views of the liberal arts, and
the value that has been placed on them in the past. Despite its often negative connotation, a
liberal arts major, such as English, is in high demand in todays work place, and can be achieved
in four years. As technology advances at an alarming rate, and world demographics and
marketplace are constantly changing, there is a serious need for employees with excellent
analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills. Liberal arts majors are well-equipped with
this particular skill set.

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Value of a Liberal Arts Degree
According to Grant Cornwell, president of the university of Wooster, Practical wisdom
is the moral and intellectual wherewithal to live well, to prosper and thrive oneself, and, in so
doing, to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of others. (Cornwell par. 5) This means
that the next generation should be looking for ways to hone in on these skills, so that they can
live prosperous lives, while furthering the lives of others. An education based in the liberal arts is
the most effective way to accomplish this task. (Jay par. 2)
Historical Value
When the nations school system started to blossom, and throughout the past two
centuries, a great emphasis was placed on the humanities; college students were required to take
a variety of liberal arts courses in order to set them apart from other countries. Since 1979,
however, funding for the NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) has gone from $461
million, to less than $150 million in 2014. (Clemmitt par. 8) Why are we seeing such a
significant drop in funding? As the rate of technological growth has increased, the world has felt
pressure to emphasize the STEM areas in order to keep up with the innovations. While this is
important, it seems that they have forgotten that, As long as there are human beings there
will be humanities, because humans will always want to understand themselves and the things
that make us human; who a person is ; what a good society is; what the body is; what the Earth
is. These questions will always be of interest. (Nelson, Clemmitt par. 12)
Skills Provided
Because of the nature of a liberal arts degree, a unique set of skills is developed by its
study. The traditional system it follows includes courses in public speaking, composition, and

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logic. These courses force students to think innovatively and analyze issues from various
perspectives, thus instilling critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills within
them. (Bresica par. 3) An ability to think deeply and a sense of empathy are also cultivated
through a liberal arts education. These qualities are key in developing a sense of personal
responsibility and coping with the global realities of the ever-shifting, modern world we live in
today. (Jay par. 9) The keener sense of understanding, broader perspective, and heightened ability
to adapt easily to changes that are learned through a liberal arts degree teach students to work
well with others and be flexible with changes in the workplace. New sets of standards and
different ideas look much less daunting to someone with a liberal arts degree than they do to a
person who has been bound to one exact answer to a problem for his entire life. Those who study
strictly technical fields such as engineering, biology, and math tend to be more like the latter;
they have been trained in logic, having it drilled into their minds that each complex problem has
one solution, that can be derived in via the exact same process over and over again. (Bresica par.
4)
Necessity for Skills/Outlook
Anthropologist and writer for schoolmoney.org. reports that, David Harriman, reports that
95% [of employers] weigh with importance ethical judgment and integrity, intercultural
skills, and the capacity for continued new learning. (Harriman par. 11) He also states how 93%
care more about these, and other similar skills, more than the actual undergraduate degree of
prospective employees. Employers in all fields ranging from medical, to business and sales, to
office and administrative work desperately need employees who can analyze and interpret
information, solve problems, communicate with people verbally and in writing, and think
critically. As the rate of technological change increases, the rate of change in work environment

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changes. Employers no longer need people who can do one job perfectly; they need people who
have the skills required to learn and teach themselves as new technologies emerge and strategies
change.

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Cons of a Liberal Arts Degree

Despite evidence that there is a higher demand than ever for liberal arts majors, the fight
against their value continues to rage.
Not Moneymakers
The most prominent argument that is waged against a humanities based education is that
its students will not provide sufficiently for the world. On average, graduates with humanities
degrees are significantly more likely to be unemployed and have lower salaries than those with
more technical majors. To illustrate this idea, we can examine the unemployment rates of
graduate students with a liberal arts major, and those of nursing students; liberal arts faced a
9.4% rate, while nursing students faced a mere 4%, less than half of liberal arts majors.
(Clemmitt par. 13) This gap is not only a concern in the long-run of peoples careers, it can also
be an immediate issue for students who have large student loans to pay off. If graduates are
making $20-$30,000 a year, they will be sinking in debt. If they are sitting around without a job
because their degree is not marketable, then their situation is even worse.

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Consensus (Response and possible solutions)

Although there are serious concerns over whether or not a liberal arts degree is of value
anymore, there is significant evidence to show that the skills gained through such a major will be
invaluable in the long-run. Employers place a high value on potential candidates with a liberal
arts skill set, and their value can be applied in all areas of industry.
Employer and Employee Opinions
The way I think about things, my curiosity, my imagination, the kind of questions I ask,
those are abilities, skills, traits that you dont get in business school. That comes from a great
liberal arts education, (Klein, Cornwell par. 16) says Julia Klein, chairwoman and CEO of CH
Briggs. Klein attributes her successful business career to her high-quality liberal arts education.
Most employers have a similar view of liberal arts degrees; they appreciate the analytical,
problem-solving, creative minds of those who possess such degrees. These characteristics prove
to be more redeeming in the long run, than the ability to solve equations and create formulas, that
biology majors contain fresh out of school. These characteristics are life skills. Life skills are
what help people form connections, solve problems, and learn together, making the world a
better place.
Variety of Career Options
Although those with liberal arts degrees are typically assumed to go on to be postsecondary teachers, or publish scholarly articles and books, a plethora of career opportunities are
available outside the realm of the humanities. Many people with a humanities background go on

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to pursue a more technical field such as business or administration. The skills that are acquired
with their liberal arts degrees prove to be of great use in these fields.

Fig. 1. Clemmitt, Marcia. Types of Jobs Held by Humanities Graduates

2013. CQ Researcher 6 Dec. 2013: 1029-52.

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Conclusion
One of the greatest tech gurus of all time, Steve Jobs, said himself Its technology
married with liberal arts, humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing. (Jobs)
Clearly, the humanities are more important than ever, and are increasing in appeal to employers.
The skills that liberal arts majors obtain through their training are incomparable to any other
degree and will be valuable in any, and every field. Liberal arts are essential to the furthering of
both technology and mankind, and their value should not be dismissed.

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Works Cited
Bai Li. "Mandarin For Me ." Mandarin For Me. N.p., n.d. 29 May 2016.
Clemmitt, Marcia. "Humanities Education." CQ Researcher 6 Dec. 2013: 1029-52. 6 May 2016.
Cornwell, Grant. "Is A (Liberal Arts) College Degree Still Worth It?" The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com. 06 May 2016.
Harriman, David. "The Pros and Cons of a Liberal Arts Degree." SchoolMoneyorg. 2015. 06
May 2016.
Jobs, Steve. National Endowment for the Humanities. N.p., n.d. 29 May 2016.
Packman, Martin. "Liberal Education." Editorial Research Reports 1957. Vol. II. Washington:
CQ Press, 1957. 703-22. CQ Researcher. 6 May 2016.
Ray, Edward J. "The Value of a Liberal Arts Education in Today's Global Marketplace." The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. 06 May 2016.
"Value of Liberal Arts." Brescia University. Bresica.edu. 2013. 06 May 2016.