Thorstein Veblen

The Higher Learning in America (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In "The Higher Learning in America," Thorstein Veblen delivers a critical analysis of the American higher education system at the turn of the 20th century, positing that universities failing to embody true education have become self-serving institutions driven by economic motives. Veblen adopts a keen observational style, utilizing his characteristic wit and sociological insight to dissect the conflicts between educational pursuits and the forces of capitalism. This seminal work situates itself amid the broader discourse on social Darwinism and the role of education as a catalyst for societal progress, ultimately challenging readers to reflect on the true purpose of learning in a commodified society. Thorstein Veblen, an influential economist and sociologist, was a prominent figure in the early 20th-century intellectual landscape. His own educational experiences, coupled with a scathing critique of American materialism as exemplified in his earlier work, "The Theory of the Leisure Class," informed his perspectives in "The Higher Learning in America". Veblen's observations are not merely academic; they are autobiographical reflections on his own disillusionment with the constraints and priorities of the education system. For readers intrigued by the interplay between education and societal values, Veblen's work remains both relevant and provocative. It challenges us to reconsider our own educational institutions and urges critical engagement with their dual roles as bastions of knowledge and vehicles of class distinction. "The Higher Learning in America" is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of education in contemporary society.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Copycat
• Altersempfehlung: ab 7 Jahre
• Erscheinungstermin: 21. Februar 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9788028289508
• Artikelnr.: 69806895

Autorenporträt

Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929), an American economist and sociologist, was an insightful critic of capitalism and its cultural implications. He emerged from a Norwegian immigrant background to become one of the most provocative and influential thinkers of his time. Veblen studied at Carleton College, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University, earning his Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1884. His academic career was not without controversy, leading to a series of short tenures at various universities. Veblen's erudite writing carried a heavy emphasis on the social implications of economic practices, most notably the concept of 'conspicuous consumption,' a term he coined in his seminal book 'The Theory of the Leisure Class' (1899). Another significant contribution to the field of education is 'The Higher Learning in America' (1918), where Veblen critiqued the burgeoning corporate influence over academic institutions and their detrimental effect on intellectual freedom and scientific inquiry. His work often displayed a disenchanted view of economic institutions, critiquing their evolution not as logical or efficient outcomes but rather as developments shaped by vested interests and cultural biases. Veblen's legacy is enduring; his sharp observations of economic and social phenomena remain relevant, resonating with contemporary sociological and economic thought.