Summary Of Bloom's Teachings
Bloom argues that the social and political crisis of twentieth century America is really a crisis. Bloom blamed high technology, the sexual revolution, music, and the introduction of cultural diversity into the curriculum as the problem. He thinks this is led to the production of students without wisdom or values. According to Bloom, American democracy has led to the demise of morals.
He stated that students these days are in general nice but are not moral or noble.” He attributes these feelings to moral relativism, instant gratification, and the poverty of the students’ education The American mind is closed because in advocating the value relativism, people are open to anything and everything, a move which enslaves us to the particular. He also …show more content…
Gerber
Third, Bloom argues that the university does not give any particular direction in course requirements to students. Part of this is from the rise of professional degrees like the MBA, which steer students away from a liberal education and toward only those classes which will help them succeed in their jobs. The other part of this is from the general belief that there simply is not much worth knowing. In this is a “radical truth, a well-kept secret: the colleges do not have enough to teach their students, not enough to justify keeping them four years, probably not even three years....The so-called knowledge explosion and increasing specialization have not filled up the college years but emptied them” (340).
Second, Bloom argues throughout the book that democracy is a means, and not an end. Democracy allows members of society to seek what is true, noble, and beautiful, but it also allows for the possibility that people will seek something else. Thus, democracy creates its own power structure, weighted toward public opinion, regardless of how wise or foolish public opinion might be. It is for this reason that Bloom argues so strenuously about educating students—public opinion
He stated that students these days are in general nice but are not moral or noble.” He attributes these feelings to moral relativism, instant gratification, and the poverty of the students’ education The American mind is closed because in advocating the value relativism, people are open to anything and everything, a move which enslaves us to the particular. He also …show more content…
Gerber
Third, Bloom argues that the university does not give any particular direction in course requirements to students. Part of this is from the rise of professional degrees like the MBA, which steer students away from a liberal education and toward only those classes which will help them succeed in their jobs. The other part of this is from the general belief that there simply is not much worth knowing. In this is a “radical truth, a well-kept secret: the colleges do not have enough to teach their students, not enough to justify keeping them four years, probably not even three years....The so-called knowledge explosion and increasing specialization have not filled up the college years but emptied them” (340).
Second, Bloom argues throughout the book that democracy is a means, and not an end. Democracy allows members of society to seek what is true, noble, and beautiful, but it also allows for the possibility that people will seek something else. Thus, democracy creates its own power structure, weighted toward public opinion, regardless of how wise or foolish public opinion might be. It is for this reason that Bloom argues so strenuously about educating students—public opinion