Wayne Booth

Booth is an intellectually inclined Professor at the University of Chicago who has examined the purpose of education, specifically of the liberal arts. Liberal Education is defined as studies providing general knowledge, rather than professional or vocational training.In the essay Booth emphasizes the importance of a liberal education. He uses a list of “four R’s” that he revised to clearly describe a liberal education. The first R is the most useful and important; the art of Recovery of meanings. One must be able to understand what they are observing or reading about before they can fully understand. With out comprehension learning means nothing. The second R is the art of Rejection or more commonly known as critical thinking. Critical thinking is essential to be able to read and comprehend many things. The third R is the art of Renewing. This R is the key to recognizing and re-presenting. Knowing how to apply the knowledge and successfully interpret it is important in everyday life. The fourth and final R, the art of Revising, which is essential for perfecting work and making it better.Booth notes that nobody can force you to become educated, “nobody can convince you in advance that to become educated is worth doing.” He hopes that everyone makes the right decision to advance him or herself. He wants you to solve the problem of how to go about getting it this education. Solving this problem is a way of freedom; it is your time to figure out your future. Malcolm X, for example, furthered his education by reading. In prison, he did not have any other opportunities. He made the decision to take advantage of the endless time. As the years go by education changes. Booth explains that professorial ignoramuses have failed to teach student ignoramuses how to write. “Supervisors of Ph.D. dissertations blame college teachers, college teachers blame high school teachers, and the public...