Who are you?

Newman’s idea of pursuing knowledge for its own sake is a wonderful idea… theoretically. His ideas of liberal, philosophy, and knowledge are what most students assume upon entering college. The students have left high school to practice and study their passions, which is the reason I left accounting to become an English major. But as Peter T. Flann explains in his 1984 Annual Address, Newman’s ideas are impractical, “The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake remains a noble occupation for those who can afford it… But public universities exist to serve society” (306). This is why the University of Texas is protected in the Texas Constitution. Liberal arts majors can continue studying on their own will, but they are given additional requirements. At first the requirements may seem a waste of time, but they go back to community through the research that is conducted in the classes.

But to defend Newman, he never said for a person to limit themselves to what they want to study. He explains, “All branches of knowledges are connected together, because the subject-matter of knowledge is intimately united in itself” (308). So whether knowledge is its own reward or if knowledge is to benefit society, why limit ourselves to one subject matter? We should expand our knowledge of sciences and languages. Rather than seeing the requirements as a burden or obstacle, see them as an opportunity to explore and unite new knowledge.