The Problem with Liberal Arts

We are making a mistake in America’s school system by understressing math and overstressing the liberal arts. Now, considering that this is for a liberal arts class, let me make my case. First, the liberal arts should be left for individuals to teach themselves, since a lot of liberal arts are simply a way to understand opinions about the world. Math and science have an objective component, and even though they may be wrong, their objectivity and rigor leads to better thinking among those who have taken a lot of math and/or science. Second, the liberal arts have become somewhat of a way to spread the political and social ideologies of the professor that teaches the class. If the professor is a liberal, then the professor will, consciously or unconsciously, choose examples that guide his students toward his worldview. If the professor is a conservative, then the professor will likely do the same. Are there opinions and fields in mathematics and science? Yes, but the opinions in math have very little to do with social politics or opinions, limiting these discussions to mathematics alone. One can agree that epigenetics is a false concept without being on the left or the right, and vice versa. Third, liberal arts lack the rigor of mathematics, and thus students who are looking for a class that does not challenge them take liberal arts in the hope that it will be easy. Unfortunately, this stigma means that the individuals inside of liberal arts classrooms will not take the subjects seriously, further impairing the students ability to learn from the subject. Fourth, liberal arts are too important to leave to the thoughts of very opinionated professors. Yes, liberal arts are important, but they may be too important for school.