Jeffrey Brenzel: The Essential Value of a Classic Education

source: bigthink
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: The Essential Value of a Classic Education.

JEFFREY BRENZEL, Philosopher, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University

Dean Brenzel argues that not only can reading the great classics like Plato's Republic and Dante's Inferno enrich your education, it can actually make your life better. Pointing out that we can't possibly read all of the books in the world, Brenzel makes a case for reading the right books the right way in order to get the most intellectual bang for your reading buck. Which books qualify as the "right" books is one of the most controversial subjects in academia, and Brenzel outlines the five key characteristics that every great book must fulfill in order to make that coveted list.

The Floating University
Originally released September 2011.