Higher Education

A presumption in favor of more vibrant life calls for a scheme of education that facilitates the development of individuals toward exercising their farthest-reaching capability, with due regard for both freedom-for and freedom-from concerns for proper personal growth. A vitality argument for liberal education can be made on grounds of personal welfare, social equity, and democratic participation. While human vibrancy is not the only social or educational value, it is undismissable. Two essential general aims of education are spiritually beautiful success (the Schillerian ideal) and vigilant wakefulness in relationships (sharply articulated by Eberhard Grisebach). Rising to the challenge of Pericles’ classic praise of Athens, a week of high life is described in the remarkably vibrant community of a liberal arts college.