Rising university fees and limited employment prospects for graduates have led some people to say that universities should not teach arts subjects, like philosophy and history, and should only offer practical degree courses that maximise chances of employment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Students spend a great deal of time and money on tertiary study;

therefore

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, vocational

subjects

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would be a better investment in terms of immediate job opportunities.

However

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, not everyone has an aptitude for science, engineering or medicine, and there is a need for graduates with expertise gained from

arts

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courses. In

subjects

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such

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as philosophy, students learn a valuable set of skills. They become active thinkers who learn how to solve problems, rather than passive learners who memorise facts and other people’s ideas. Philosophy students become proficient at critical and moral thinking, argumentation and debate. The ability to examine and analyse topical issues or challenge the status quo is very important. After all, someone needs to question the results or indeed the usefulness of scientific research, the politician’s assertions, and historical events and assumptions in general. What is more, scandals in business and government emphasise the need for ethics in the corporate and public domain. The sciences and business are clearly very important for our community, and those who have talent should, of course, pursue a university degree and a career in those fields. If,

however

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, they

also

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have training in logic and analytical thinking or a broad general knowledge from studying

arts

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subjects

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, they are more likely to be able to solve problems, create initiatives, identify bias and avoid major pitfalls as they progress through their careers. In short, I wholeheartedly disagree with the statement that

arts

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subjects

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should not be taught. I suggest that every student should have instruction in philosophy, history or other

arts

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subjects

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, even if they elect to major in the sciences, because

l earning

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learning

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critical thinking skills, and developing

a wide background knowledge

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wide background knowledge

a piece of wide background knowledge

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, will benefit them enormously in later life.

In addition

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to

this

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general training, we need specialist graduates in

arts

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subjects

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to make their contribution to a well-rounded society.