An attempt at self-criticism (and a critique of contemporary ‘Great Books’ liberal education):

Liberal education in general and ‘Great Books’ liberal education in particular are on the defensive in contemporary culture, and their survival is in doubt. /1

Since Bloom’s Closing of the American Mind, proponents of liberal education and ‘Great Books’ liberal education have recognized this problem and have sought to address it by providing accounts of the nature, purpose, and value of liberal education and the ‘Great Books.’ /2

That these self-defensive self-justifications have (largely) failed is evident from the continued decline in both the academy and popular opinion of serious commitment to liberal education and ‘Great Books’ liberal education. /3

But, the passionate, politicized, and a priori critiques that are the root and fruit of this rejection of ‘Great Books’ liberal education are belied by the fact that these books have, can, and do speak to all sorts of students in deep and profound ways. /4

*If* reading the ‘Great Books’ is still an effective way to provide students with a liberal education, while self-defensive self-justifications are ineffective ways to influence institutions, change popular opinion, or win students... /5

*then* arguing for the value of Great Books liberal education is a waste of time at best and a self-undermining self-delusion at worst. /6

So, the best way to promote Great Books liberal education is NOT to *tell* others how great it is or why it is so great, but rather to *show* them how great it is. /7

The only possible way to promote ‘Great Books’ liberal education is to do an excellent job of providing a liberal education through the ‘Great Books.’ /8

The cause of the continued decline in serious interest in liberal education in general and ‘Great Books’ liberal education in particular is that the most ardent proponents of such education have failed to provide this education to their students. /9

We have been too distracted and distorted by the desire to win glory in the culture wars and the desire to win fame among scholars that we have forgotten our calling as teachers.

If we have the goods, we better start to deliver. If we don’t, then we should abandon all hope. /end