Overview

In Liberal Education and Democratic Citizenship, Michael H. McCarthy carefully describes the crises confronting American democracy, identifying their philosophical, cultural, and institutional origins to show how liberal education—properly understood—can respond to these crises effectively. The chapters explore the sources, areas, and levels of division in contemporary America and how they have created important disagreements within the major challenges that we face today; what a liberation education is and why it is important; the complex relationship between effective freedom and modern economic and political liberalism; the importance of effective freedom to a free, just, and inclusive democracy; the challenges the modern cultural predicament creates for civic education; Alexis de Tocqueville’s critical retrieval and William Galston’s critical dismantling strategies; the profound civic implications of important cultural changes within American democracy; and the three most influential stories that have shaped our educational practices and aspirations. By addressing these issues, McCarthy provides insight into how we can rectify these challenges effectively through speech and conduct in order to foster, prize, and reliably exercise the essential virtues of a liberal and democratic education.

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9781666948776

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Reviews

This is a very personal book exploring the author's long-term roles as a parent, teacher, and citizen through the lens of insights provided by great thinkers, past and present. Unapologetic reverence for both liberal philosophy and the role of the liberal arts college permeates the text. McCarthy argues that education provides the basic common understanding that binds a culture together, and that cohesion is under great stress in American society. While education has a definite end point, learning is a lifelong adventure. McCarthy makes no bones about taking on the dangers of Donald Trump and his supporters with sophisticated logic and examples. He contends that both freedom and democracy are under severe threat and that the solution lies in attitudinal change. Eschewing empirical evidence, McCarthy posits key assertions as accepted truths. While the ideas he presents are not entirely original, they are tied together in a meaningful dialogue, which forces the reader to face up to the thoughts of a wide range of thinkers. Regardless to whether readers agree with the McCarthy's obvious ideological preferences, they will be left wishing they could sit in on one of his seminars. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals. -- ""Choice Reviews""

Author Information

Michael H. McCarthy is professor emeritus of philosophy at Vassar College.

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