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   myrmepropagandist (futurebird@sauropods.win)'s status on Wednesday, 17-Dec-2025 02:13:23 JST myrmepropagandist

   I believe that Computer Science has a place in "The Liberal Arts Education"-- that is I think an understanding of how computers are made, programming and algorithms should be a part of what a "well educated" person knows regardless of their particular area of focus.

   This is not the case at present and one can be considered "well educated" a know nothing about computers.

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     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 17-Dec-2025 02:13:20 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     • disorganized tropical low

     @StephanieMoore
     I’m delighted to hear that you used my post in that way, and found so much value in it! I had no idea.

     Per @futurebird’s OP, I don’t really see the “greatest hits of human knowledge” as being the defining characteristic of liberal arts education at all. The point of my essay is that “liberal arts” is a philosophical approach to education, not any particular set of subjects, disciplines, or specific knowledge items: “Because you are free, you must prepare for the unknown.” It’s about preparing human beings for self-determination.

     (And, per the comment about the ruling class, •who• gets this kind of education shines relates directly who society considers to be fully human.)

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     disorganized tropical low (stephaniemoore@mastodon.online)'s status on Wednesday, 17-Dec-2025 02:13:21 JST disorganized tropical low

     in reply to

     • Paul Cantrell

     @futurebird I loved this blog post by @inthehands on liberal arts education so much so that I folded it into my Week 1 readings for my AI ethics class and we used it to frame and set the stage for class … and had an amazing semester being curious about unknowns. Many years ago, I’d read the original “greats” on this and always strove towards it, but over time had gotten worn down by bureaucracy and habits. This provided such a welcome refresh:

     https://innig.net/teaching/liberal-arts-manifesto

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     myrmepropagandist (futurebird@sauropods.win)'s status on Wednesday, 17-Dec-2025 02:13:22 JST myrmepropagandist

     in reply to

     The concept and philosophy of the liberal arts education is the (I think) sensible idea that everyone* should know a little about the 'greatest hits' of human knowledge.

     Obviously what is considered a 'greatest hit' could be contentious. Should everyone read Shakespeare? Does everyone need to know a little algebra? Should everyone be able to read? Should everyone be able to critique art?

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     *Sometimes this is contracted to only include the ruling class. I see no reason to do this.

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     Paul Cantrell (inthehands@hachyderm.io)'s status on Wednesday, 17-Dec-2025 02:17:39 JST Paul Cantrell

     in reply to

     • disorganized tropical low

     @StephanieMoore
     Granted, that thought that “because you are a free human being, you must prepare for the unknown” does naturally point an educator toward the greatest hits of human knowledge — but that’s a strategy, not a goal. I see nothing whatsoever that precludes the study of software and computation from being part of a liberal arts education. I see ample evidence that this kind of study provides incredible educational richness along many dimensions. And I certainly agree that developing the relevant ways of seeing and thinking is an •essential• part of preparing for the unknown future we face in our present moment.

     I’m adamant that I truly teach •liberal arts• computer science classes, and that this way of teaching the subject has manifold value. @futurebird, put me on speed dial and I’ll back you up in that argument, any time any place!