Bertrand Russell, "The Place of Science in Liberal Education."

In “The Place of Science in Liberal Education,” Bertrand Russell compares the standing of science and the liberal arts in education in England in 1903. He challenges the view that liberal education is more valuable than science education which is seen as being merely practical. Defining education as, “the formation, by means of instruction, of certain mental habits and a certain outlook on life and the world,” Russell argues that science creates habits and outlooks of thought as valuable as those created by liberal education. Today the tables have turned. Science and technology, STEM, are far valued about liberal education. However, not for the habits and outlooks of thought, but for their practicality as measured monetarily. Sorry, Bertrand. Not only do we find it difficult to learn, we seem to be moving backwards.