Liberal Asia
Probably many of us get our view of eastern culture through exported cinema (which, likely, shows western themes):
(Here, a subtle hint that you should start the semester out strong.)
Kathryn Mohrman reminds us that even something which seems as sensible as Cronon's ten qualities contains a western bias. She writes:
Why does she say this? Read her article, Liberal Education in an Asian Context, available here as a pdf and find out.
Comments? Opinions? Post 'em.
(Here, a subtle hint that you should start the semester out strong.)
Kathryn Mohrman reminds us that even something which seems as sensible as Cronon's ten qualities contains a western bias. She writes:
Cronon's final injunction "only connect" must seem strange to many Asians.
Why does she say this? Read her article, Liberal Education in an Asian Context, available here as a pdf and find out.
Comments? Opinions? Post 'em.
posted by Anthony at
11:47 AM
4 Comments:
thanks for commenting - I am starting to think I am scaring people! lol.
let me see if I can ask this clearly.
the article makes the point there are cultural differences.
do you think the author also means to say the end-state (the educated person) is different by culture
OR
is it just different cultures have different weaknesses and the point of an education (to reach the same end-state) is to improve those weak areas?
By
Anthony, at Thu Aug 31, 03:56:00 PM 2006
I think you are right; most americans have come to think of the liberal arts as the non-science curriculum. I think the greeks (who probably coined the phrase) had a more wholistic view. I certainly would take that perspective - although at the time the liberal arts were first touted (western) science was very primitive.
By
Anthony, at Thu Aug 31, 09:11:00 PM 2006
I see the definition here mentions both humanities and science. It also distinguishes "American" liberal arts colleges as rejecting vocational training.
By
Anthony, at Thu Aug 31, 09:16:00 PM 2006
I don't think that americans, in general, discount the value of family. at the personal level, relationships ebb and it flow, Kate - maybe your peer-group is busy coming of age and distinguishing themself from their family (a normal separation) as so de-emphasizes family ties. In the movie today, Joseph Campbell alludes to this.
Or; it could be that our society is consumer oriented; and parents today feel they should work to earn money to buy stuff which demonstrates (in their mind) love. And they are too busy and too tired to say much after that.
By
Anthony, at Fri Sep 01, 06:24:00 AM 2006
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