Martha Nussbaum's Education For Profit, Education For Democracy?

The academic system of current society attempts to prepare students for working in the real world. The majority of students are encouraged to pursue studies in areas such as business and technology because it will ensure a high paying job and promote economic growth. Lately, students have begun to question whether studying the humanities are worth the tuition costs, and if a technical or science based major is a better option. Martha Nussbaum, in her essay “ Education for Profit, Education for Democracy”, brings attention to how “the current focus on education as a form of career training fails to teach students the skills necessary to participate in the political process” (61). Liberal arts schools aim to strengthen a student’s range of knowledge through the studies of arts and humanities. Such an education would provide a student with the resources required to think critically about the world, specifically politics. Since the government acts on behalf of the people, they should be …show more content…
In the workforce, being able to communicate effectively is key to standing out from the average worker since machine labor can be done by almost anyone. A person needs writing and communication to speak with a boss, advocate for a raise or promotion, and draft proposals or arguments. Employees that encompass these skills will work in favor of the company to promote its overall growth and benefit. Paulo Friere, in his essay about the academic system “The Banking Concept of Education”, writes that “the teacher talks and the students listen – meekly” because the average employee listens and does as told by his/her employer (2). This relates to a work environment because an employer wants more than someone who can just get the job done; they want a person who is capable of going beyond their job description and show that they are capable of