Humanistic Education Revival
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The Rare Gift of Humanistic Education
Roosevelt Montás’s life story is a testament to the transformative power of humanistic education. As someone who has spent years visiting campuses and meeting educators like Montás, I can attest that his kind of teaching is not only exceptional but also sorely needed.
What makes humanistic education valuable is its focus on forming fully functioning grown-ups – people armed with knowledge, strength of judgment, force of character, and a thorough familiarity with the spiritual heritage of our civilization. Humanistic educators treat students as social and moral animals, not just economic units to be trained for the workforce. By introducing students to rival traditions of thought and cultural experiences, colleges can help them cultivate the beliefs, worldviews, and philosophies that will guide their choices in adulthood.
Critics often view humanistic education as elitist or irrelevant to modern society’s practical needs. However, Montás’s story shows that this approach is essential for developing informed citizens who can lead lives of purpose and responsibility. As he puts it, “What I’m giving the students is tools for a life of freedom.” These skills will serve them well in adulthood, when life demands more than just technical expertise.
The humanist tradition is built on an accurate conception of human nature – our capacity for both cruelty and kindness. Humanistic education prepares people to confront this duality within themselves and cultivate their noblest aspirations. It’s not just about producing learned individuals but good people who can lead lives of generosity and purpose. As Plutarch noted, the mind is like wood that needs igniting, and humanistic education strives to kindle a passion for truth and originality in its students.
Montás’s journey from a small mountain village in the Dominican Republic to Columbia University is striking. His experiences with Socratic dialogues and St. Augustine’s writings not only shaped his intellectual pursuits but also influenced his worldview. This kind of personal transformation is what humanistic education aims to achieve – preparing students for the struggle between their noblest aspirations and natural egotism.
Some might argue that this approach focuses too much on individual development, neglecting social and economic challenges faced by many students. However, Montás’s story shows that humanistic education can help address these issues by cultivating civic responsibility and community engagement among its graduates. By introducing students to history and literature, colleges provide them with wisdom about how humans operate – essential for navigating modern society.
Andrew Delbanco’s observation that “any serious human problem is a hard problem” underscores the need for an education that fosters critical thinking and self-doubt. Educators like Montás strive to develop in their students an allergy to ideology and certainty, encouraging them to question assumptions and seek truth.
As I reflect on my own experiences visiting campuses, I am struck by the rarity of humanistic education. Many universities have abandoned this approach in favor of more practical or vocational training, despite its value as a core aspect of higher education. Montás’s story serves as a reminder of what we risk losing when we prioritize efficiency and productivity over intellectual curiosity and character development.
The future of humanistic education hangs in the balance. Will we continue to value the kind of teaching that has produced exceptional educators like Roosevelt Montás, or will we sacrifice this rare gift on the altar of pragmatism? The answer will determine not only the quality of our universities but also the kind of citizens we produce – individuals capable of leading lives of purpose and responsibility in a rapidly changing world.
Reader Views
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
While humanistic education's focus on forming well-rounded individuals is undeniably valuable, its implementation on a large scale poses significant challenges. As institutions strive to balance breadth of knowledge with depth of analysis, they often sacrifice the very aspects that make humanistic education so transformative – namely, the close relationships between students and educators that foster intellectual curiosity and character development. To succeed, colleges must prioritize faculty-student ratios and cultivate an environment that encourages dialogue, debate, and mutual respect.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
While humanistic education's focus on cultivating well-rounded individuals is undeniably valuable, its proponents often neglect to address the pressing question of accessibility. As institutions scramble to prioritize this kind of teaching, they must also confront the reality that such programs can be prohibitively expensive for many students. Without a clear plan for financing and scaling these initiatives, humanistic education risks becoming an elitist luxury rather than a genuinely transformative force in higher learning.
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
While humanistic education's emphasis on cultivating the whole person is essential for producing well-rounded citizens, its critics are right to caution that this approach can be elitist and disconnected from real-world problems. A crucial next step in reviving humanistic education would be to integrate these ideals with practical skills training, so students aren't left feeling unequipped to navigate the complexities of modern life. By bridging theory and practice, educators can ensure that their students are not only equipped for a "life of freedom" but also capable of applying their knowledge in meaningful ways.