Jagger Potter
Jessica Dinneen
English 101
2-22-2018
Norman Cousins, (June 24, 1915 – November 30, 1990) was an American political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate, wrote the article "How to Make People Smaller Than They Are.” It he Saturday review in 1978.This is an argumentative article against the falling role of the humanities in our education. In his article Cousins gives the reasons for the decrease and suggests some of the attitudes and results of it. He gives a plan to correct the problem, and then goes on to explain the importance of a liberal education in today's society. Cousins gives a 2-part reason for the decrease in interest in liberal education. He seems to simplify the problem, but the reasons he gives are effective. His illustrations of his point in the fourth paragraph are very effective. Most people feel that they can live without history higher math and literature that has little bearing on their everyday lives. The appreciation of art and philosophy is at a low point now as well. The same is also true of philosophy, for often what is taught as philosophy is nothing but foolishness that seems to have nothing to do with our lives or the world in which we live but is a large mis-conception. Cousins suggests that Americans should be …show more content…
His illustration of various careers such as medicine, business, and law help the reader to look for applications of the humanities in his own career and life. Cousins' lists of those realities that we deal with every day is also effective for these examples apply to everyone's life. His use of the much respected and historical Constitutional Convention, as an illustration, is very strong. His illustration of Thomas Jefferson is also powerful since Jefferson is remembered and respected by nearly everyone. He uses the person of Jefferson, as an expert, to confirm his
Jessica Dinneen
English 101
2-22-2018
Norman Cousins, (June 24, 1915 – November 30, 1990) was an American political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate, wrote the article "How to Make People Smaller Than They Are.” It he Saturday review in 1978.This is an argumentative article against the falling role of the humanities in our education. In his article Cousins gives the reasons for the decrease and suggests some of the attitudes and results of it. He gives a plan to correct the problem, and then goes on to explain the importance of a liberal education in today's society. Cousins gives a 2-part reason for the decrease in interest in liberal education. He seems to simplify the problem, but the reasons he gives are effective. His illustrations of his point in the fourth paragraph are very effective. Most people feel that they can live without history higher math and literature that has little bearing on their everyday lives. The appreciation of art and philosophy is at a low point now as well. The same is also true of philosophy, for often what is taught as philosophy is nothing but foolishness that seems to have nothing to do with our lives or the world in which we live but is a large mis-conception. Cousins suggests that Americans should be …show more content…
His illustration of various careers such as medicine, business, and law help the reader to look for applications of the humanities in his own career and life. Cousins' lists of those realities that we deal with every day is also effective for these examples apply to everyone's life. His use of the much respected and historical Constitutional Convention, as an illustration, is very strong. His illustration of Thomas Jefferson is also powerful since Jefferson is remembered and respected by nearly everyone. He uses the person of Jefferson, as an expert, to confirm his