Create an argument about the proper aims of higher education, paying particular attention to the role of empathy and critical thinking

In “Necessary Edges: Arts, Empathy, and Education,” world renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma advocates for “fostering both empathetic and critical thinking” through education and the arts. Ma’s vision for learning emphasizes integrative and empathetic thinking, achieved through the ability “to put oneself in another’s shoes” and collaborative, “flexible thinking.” This is a different approach from Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, who argue in “The Coddling of the American Mind” that “attempts to shield students from words, ideas, and people that might cause them emotional discomfort are bad for students.” In doing so, Lukianoff and Haidt offer a vision for learning, particularly in higher education, that emphasizes free speech and critical thinking, and a concern that restrictive speech codes reduce tolerance and critical thinking, as well as jeopardize democratic values.
Assignment:
In response to these readings, create an argument about the proper aims of higher education, paying particular attention to the role of empathy and critical thinking. How much should higher education focus on the arts, as well as broader ethical thinking, compared to career-focused training? What skills and values should a university provide for their students, and how can it best support them?
Further questions you might consider in order to generate ideas for your essay include:
How should higher education balance students’ rights for safety and protection from harassment with concerns for free speech and tolerance? (What) can students learn in an environment that feels unsafe? (What) can students learn in an environment in which they don’t feel safe to think freely?
How can empathy promote critical thinking in the face of uncomfortable ideas? What conditions are necessary to foster empathetic and critical thinking?
What are the skills and values a university should most want to impart to incoming students? What is the role of higher education in preparing students to live and learn in communities with diverse cultural backgrounds?

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