Universities Still Provide Transformative Humanistic Education Despite Institutional Challenges
Source: David Brooks. "David Brooks: Something Is Going Right at Universities - The Atlantic." May 17, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
Brooks argues that despite all the criticism of universities, there are still amazing teachers who change students' lives by introducing them to great books and big ideas about life's meaning. These teachers help students become better people, not just better workers, which is exactly what our democracy needs.
Conclusion
There is significant value and positive impact happening in American higher education through dedicated humanistic teachers who transform students' lives, even though this aspect is often overlooked by critics
Premises
- Passionate humanistic teachers exist across all types of universities and have the power to fundamentally change students' lives through exposure to great ideas and texts
- Humanistic education addresses fundamental human questions about identity, purpose, and meaning that preprofessional training cannot provide
- True humanistic education shapes character and moral development, not just intellectual capacity, by making excellence and high ideals attractive to students
- Students who receive humanistic education develop a lifelong passion for learning, truth-seeking, and contributing to the common good rather than just personal advancement
- The Great Conversation tradition connects students to centuries of human wisdom about navigating life's fundamental tensions and challenges
- Humanistic education is essential for democracy because it cultivates citizens capable of critical thinking and moral reasoning
Assumptions
- Humans have inherent longings for beauty, justice, love, and truth that can be cultivated through education
- Exposure to great books and ideas has the power to fundamentally transform a person's worldview and life trajectory
- Character formation and moral development are legitimate and important goals of higher education
- Democracy requires citizens educated in humanistic thinking and values
- The current emphasis on preprofessional training is insufficient for full human development