The Use of Conversation to Achieve Education in John B. Bennett's Essay Liberal Learning as Conversation,

When was the last time you had a memorable conversation? Most likely, this conversation was one that included questions, answers, or reminiscent tales that both parties could appreciate and cherish. The conversations that are often lost in our memories are those which are one-sided, boring, and predictable. John B. Bennett, a university scholar at Quinnipiac University, believes in education as a conversation. In his essay, "Liberal Learning as Conversation," Bennett smashes the preconceived notions associated with a liberal arts education, and redefines how an education should be achieved; through conversation, with hospitality. In order to reach the peak of success in liberal learning, one must separate himself from the average, argue with the academic community healthily, and exit the realms in which he feels most comfortable, academically, culturally, and socially.

Within the liberal arts education community, there is no room for an average voice, or a common student. As Bennett writes, "There are no generic voices. And to be voiceless is like being faceless, stripped of what is distinctively human." (Bennett 2.) Each particular person is a piece of the community, and they must offer themselves up for the creation of an academic haven, composed of these diverse, distinct voices. In larger universities, a culture of conformity has formed, causing an average within student body to also form. The downfall to this, however, is that being active has become harder for the student. The student, in the scenario of the larger university, is a statistic, as opposed to a voice. With the aid of a liberal arts education, a student will never be left behind in the classroom, or when involved in extra-curricular activities. A liberal arts education forces students to attend classes, actively participate in those classes, and eventually send them on the right career and life path. With a small community, it is difficult not to communicate. With a small community, it is difficult to stay away from knowing other people, and especially getting to know yourself.

Within human relationships, perfection is an impossible goal to reach. With every relationship a person builds, there will be times in that relationship when one party aggravates the other. No conversation will last forever. In his essay, Bennett claims that in liberal learning atmospheres, "arguments are used constructively to clarify issues, not to vanquish opponents." (Bennett 4) Criticism is used to aid the learning process, not as a target for tearing down an idea. This is overlooked by many. Constructive, healthy, and wholesome argumentation and commentary are valuable to anybody pursuing academic success. A second set of eyes is necessary to test out a theory, hypothesis, or idea. A conversation with one side is not a conversation worth participating in.

By definition, a liberal arts education fosters tightly woven relationships from those of similar backgrounds, and wildly different backgrounds. Although the sample size of the students is smaller, diversity does not shy away in this type of learning. With unique backgrounds comes unique conversation. Bennett even testifies to unifying students through past cultural experiences by saying, "New students must be invited to see their college and university experience as an invitation to put earlier, limited views, traditions, and habits of thought and conversation behind them." (Bennett 3) The establishment respects the previous habits of their students, but in return they expect growth through rigorous questioning and thought. Yet again, conversation shows its face in the discussion of learning, an obviously vital part of gaining the maximum amount of knowledge.

What will your next conversation hold? How will you respond, and how will it effect you later on in your life? A liberal arts education has the power to change. It has the power to change a person, an institution, a country, a world. Conversation, with a dash of hospitality, can do more than we think sometimes. Conversation makes a difference.