Many educational paths focus on teaching us what to think. Yet the discipline of how to think seems increasingly like a lost art. 

We’re trained in how to do things and produce and achieve results, but how often are we encouraged to reflect on the bigger questions? Questions around the “why” of life, the purpose of our pursuits, and the consequences of our actions and choices. 

Our culture is in the midst of a great crisis of meaning. More than half of Americans ask themselves at least once a month, “How can I find more meaning and purpose in my life?” Among young adults, 58% report a lack of meaning or purpose as a major source of stress.

Though our society is the most affluent in human history, the majority of Americans crave something deeper beyond the satisfaction of their material needs.  The desire for meaning is making our present generation restless, and the liberal arts offer the ideal framework for addressing life’s fundamental questions and seeking real answers to the pressing issues of our time.

What Are the Liberal Arts?

The liberal arts, or artes liberales, were codified in the middle ages as seven distinct but related arts that prepared one for more advanced studies.  The liberal arts of language became known as the Trivium.  These arts were grammar, logic, and rhetoric.  The liberal arts of number became known as the Quadrivium.  These arts were geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music.  These disciplines were considered the pursuits worthy of a free person, as they cultivated the mind and spirit in ways that transcended mere survival or labor.  That is why these arts were called liberal arts.  They liberate a person from ignorance, providing the proper tools for learning. 

Originating in ancient Greece and later expanded during the medieval period, this framework became the foundation of modern liberal arts education. It was designed to nurture well-rounded individuals capable of critical thought and civic participation.

Despite common misconceptions about the liberal arts, they encompass far more than the typical academic subjects. A liberal arts education equips students with the foundational skills and intellectual strengths essential for future academic growth. 

Explore the transformative graduate degrees at the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts

What is the Value of the Liberal Arts in Society? 

Today, due to the unfortunate influence of Deweyan pragmatism and progressive educational programs, schools often prioritize utilitarian goals like “career preparation” and “technological advancement,” and the value of a liberal arts education is frequently overlooked. While science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) can drive innovation, they cannot answer the deeper metaphysical and ethical questions of life—how to live meaningfully, which ends are worthy of our pursuit, and how to use new technologies in ways that promote the Good.

The liberal arts empower learners to confront life’s biggest questions through the wisdom of history’s greatest thinkers. An education in the liberal arts frees the learner to pursue deep thinking, to appreciate the beauty of the written word and of the cosmos, and to engage a multi-millennial tradition that transcends geography, language, and particular culture.  Through this formation, students develop the ability to engage in both the practical and philosophical challenges of life. Below, we will explore these key benefits and their lasting impact.

Developing Robust Thinkers

Students are encouraged to encounter life’s most foundational questions and analyze a variety of perspectives through a liberal arts education. This pushes them to think more deeply about complex ideas in philosophy, literature, and history, allowing them to refine their ability to think more robustly and to communicate effectively. These robust thinking skills are invaluable in everyday life, from conflict resolution to navigating news media with discernment to forming opinions based on facts and research. 

Fostering a Love for the Arts

The liberal arts place a high value on the fine arts and humanities, showcasing their role in fostering meaning. Art plays an integral role in society,  building cultural understanding and enriching the human experience. 

Understanding the arts also helps contextualize other disciplines, showing how they can intertwine to create a more comprehensive worldview. This interconnected approach to learning enhances education, providing students with a broader outlook and preparing them to examine the world through a more holistic lens. 

Earning Hard and Soft Skills for the Workplace 

One of the greatest strengths of a liberal arts education is the blend of hard and soft skills it instills. While skills directly related to one’s job description are essential to career success, workplace trends demonstrate that soft skills are the metric that defines career success.  Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center found that 85% of job success comes from having well‐developed soft and people skills.

A few key areas of formation in a liberal arts education include:

• Communication: Mastering written and oral expression to convey ideas effectively.

• Research: Gathering and interpreting data to support informed decisions.

• Contextualizing: Understanding the broader implications of information and actions.

• Problem-solving: Tackling challenges creatively and ethically.

These skills are practical but also transferable, equipping liberal arts graduates to succeed in any professional setting—from the sciences to human resources, business, and more.

Preserving Culture

Preserving cultural heritage, especially that of Western heritage, is more important than ever. The liberal arts help students engage with the voices of the past and appreciate the beautiful tradition that has enriched our world. By studying classic works of literature, philosophy, and history students develop a deeper understanding of the human spirit in its triumphs, struggles, and aspirations.

Engagement with this tradition provides students with an essential context for understanding the complexities of modern society. For example, reading Plato not only acquaints students with foundational ideas about justice and governance but also equips them with tools to assess current political systems with wisdom and insight. Similarly, exploring the art of the Renaissance reveals how beauty and creativity flourished amid societal upheaval, inspiring individuals to consider how art can shape and reflect similar upheavals today.

Discover the Value of a Graduate Liberal Arts Degree From the University of Dallas 

A liberal arts degree equips students with the skills, knowledge, and perspective needed to live virtuously in a world desperate for meaning. As technology advances and societal challenges grow, the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and understand diverse perspectives will only grow more prevalent. 

The Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts at the University of Dallas offers a variety of graduate programs in disciplines such as classics, art, philosophy, and education that focus on educating the mind and soul. With small class sizes, expert faculty, and a rigorous curriculum, the program empowers students in their lifelong pursuit of wisdom, truth, and virtue.

Learn more about the scholarly community at the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts by downloading our viewbook. 

Please request more information to learn more about how the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts will prepare you not just to make a living, but to live well.