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Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘In Defense of a Liberal Education’

While Fareed Zakaria’s In Defense of a Liberal Education isn’t technically a business book, it’s nevertheless one that any business leader developing a workforce should read. A powerful, thought-provoking treatise on why the liberal arts are crucial, Liberal Education challenges the growing emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education at the expense of broader intellectual pursuits. 

However, Zakaria does not dismiss STEM education. He applauds technical skills but warns against a single-minded focus, suggesting we blend the precision of STEM with the wisdom of the humanities, stating, “Education should be about giving you the tools to navigate an unpredictable world and to innovate within it.”

Zakaria opens the book by recounting his journey from studying history and political science at Yale to becoming one of the world’s most respected journalists and thinkers. He argues that a liberal education is more than acquiring knowledge in the humanities; it’s cultivating critical thinking, creativity, and learning how to learn. He writes, “The central virtue of a liberal education is that it teaches you how to write, how to speak your mind, and how to learn—immensely valuable tools in any walk of life.” 

Zakaria uses data, historical anecdotes, and modern examples. He explains how many of the world’s great innovators and leaders—from Apple’s Steve Jobs to President Barack Obama—benefited from expansive thinking thanks to their liberal arts backgrounds, and how that success often stems from skills that transcend technical expertise.

He also acknowledges the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, which has many questioning the value of a liberal arts education. Yet, he makes a compelling case that these changes make liberal education more important: “As technology takes over rote tasks, human creativity, empathy, and the ability to connect dots across disciplines will become more vital.” 

Zakaria also examines how countries including India and China are rushing to adopt elements of the liberal arts, (even as America shifts to vocational education). This highlights the enduring value of a broad-based education to foster innovation and leadership. Zakaria notes that top global executives often possess both technical know-how and the ability to think broadly.

Zakaria’s writing is accessible, engaging, and conversational, peppering the book with personal anecdotes. Readers will enjoy his reflections on how his education shaped his worldview, as well as his analysis of historical figures, including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson—both champions of liberal education.

Zakaria also addresses common criticisms of the liberal arts, including their supposed impracticality in today’s job market. His response? The goal of education is not simply to prepare for a specific career, but to prepare for life. He believes that a well-rounded education provides the foundation for lifelong adaptability, curiosity, and success.

In Defense of a Liberal Education is an eloquent tribute to the liberal arts. It will resonate with educators, students, and professionals, and highlights the importance of cultivating skills and wisdom. In an age dominated by technical innovation and rapid change, Zakaria’s call to preserve and celebrate the liberal arts is timely and necessary.  

If you’re looking for a book that challenges conventional thinking about education and offers a roadmap to a more thoughtful, creative future, In Defense of a Liberal Education should be on your bookshelf.

Dan Beaulieu is president of D.B. Management Group.

Title: In Defense of a Liberal Education
Author: Fareed Zakaria  
Copyright: W.W. Norton & Company, 2015
Pages: 208
Price: $12.97