Orators & Philosophers: A History of the Idea of Liberal Education

by Bruce A. Kimball

Awarded the Association of American Colleges and universities' Frederic W. Ness Prize, this important study traces the intellectual tradition and ideals that have shaped debates about liberal education and the contradictory turns these arguments have taken.

Genres: Education

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Davis Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the standard short reference volume on the history of liberal education, so the four-star rating is for that. Kimball covers all the major educational voices and movements in Western history (with particular emphasis on America later on) and explains their importance well, if a little densely. It's also not just a history of ideas, but a history of schooling practice, which is much appreciated. His actual argument on the "orator-philosopher paradigm" is interesting, somewhat helpful, and widely applicable; but I'm not sure the dichotomy is as simple or clear-cut as Kimball would like to believe. As could be expected from any overeager PhD student peddling his dissertation (which this book is), he does go too far with it and doesn't really adequately consider objections to his paradigm. But nonetheless, a must-read for classical educators looking to situate themselves within the Great Tradition.