Valuing Useless Knowledge: An Anthropological Inquiry into the Meaning of Liberal Education

With higher education coming under increasing scrutiny in today's economic climate, is a liberal-arts education still a valuable investment? Robert Bates Graber explores the historical, philosophical, and sociological origins and nature of liberal education, and draws on anthropology to show why we do, and why we should, value education that appears impractical. The premise remains as in the original 1995 edition, but the argument is strengthened and the discussion expanded. Graced by a foreword from Truman President Troy Paino, this new edition is even more enlightening, more provocative, and—dare we say—more useful than the original!