The value of liberal education can be measured in different ways. However, according to Zakaria, liberal education enables one to learn how to think. Zakaria posits that “it teaches you how to think”. In this way, liberal education enables one to write, and through writing an individual can think effectively and as required. Besides, liberal education might seem updated, it inculcates precisely the broad habits like critical thinking as well as effective written and oral communication. In the process, one can be creative and improve on their level of thinking. Therefore, Zakaria uses different experiences as a method to elaborate on the importance of liberal education. He provides a good example of when he started writing and how his thoughts were jumbled and the manner in which his way of writing depends on different ideas. However, his art of writing enabled him to sort or differentiate ideas and improve on how he writes. It is through writing that one can make choices and make clarity concerning given ideas. Thus, liberal education not only provides an avenue or opportunity for one to learn how they think but also to initiate a given idea through writing.
Zakaria begins to answer the question about liberal education by linking it to the way universities such as Yale have adopted the program towards ensuring it improves the level of thinking of most students. The key purpose of the plan at Yale University is to expose a large number of students to a different mode of thinking. For instance, in one module students are taught about how experimental scientists research while in the other module they learn about statistics. Therefore, the focus is to expose students to learning scientific methods rather than facts. Through that, learners can master different concepts taught in the classroom. In this way, Zakaria uses case study methods of linking the benefits of liberal education. His emphasis is to clearly explain the impact of liberal education program can improve on the curriculum. Besides, through the liberal education program, students can learn how to read, unpack and write more about the great work of literature. With such emphasis, student’s way of thinking and integrating different ideas enables them to think differently and initiate various ideas while they learn.
The author relies on pathos to finish his book. For instance, he questions, “what if the liberal education is done well does get you a job”. From that question, one can clearly understand both the benefits and disadvantages of the program. Zakaria’s focus is ensuring the program provides the best to learners through engagement and skills that can enable them secure jobs immediately after school. By using pathos, the author appeals to people that liberal education not only focuses on certain skills but also improves one’s knowledge. Besides, through a liberal education program, one can only know when they are successful when they have reached the fullest potential. As thinking individuals, one can achieve the promises of life, and pursue happiness and therefore achieve the best for themselves. Even if someone cannot get a job, they can think critically about different issues of life. Hence, a liberal education program not only provides the basis in which one way of thinking improves, but also the development of ideas can be seen in the long term.
