Should Education Be Free Essay

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What does it mean to be free? It is a question mankind has always asked, and always will. From generation to generation, the question has received many different answers that were shaped by historical events and continuously changing ideology. What we define as freedom today in this country is different from other definitions in other regions and in other times. One theme among these answers is tying education and freedom together. One must be free from slavery, oppression, persecution, inequality, and debt. in order to be educated. Then once they are educated they will have the knowledge to keep their freedom. Education cannot take place without freedom, and freedom cannot be kept without education. For instance, one answer to the question was provided by the Roman scholar Lucius Annaeus Seneca. He seemingly argues that one must be educated to be free. The Stoic philosopher states that the only liberal study worthy of being called such is the only one that will make you free, and that is the study of wisdom. Furthermore, he voices his disapproval of studying English, math, history, even music and astronomy to lengths longer than what is necessary. That is to study only briefly for one of two reasons: …show more content…

However, one cannot be educated if they are not free, as the two go hand in hand. Having an education in history, politics, and government can keep one free from oppression and persecution. Having an education in any other field can keep one financially free. It is important, in addition to the career of one’s choosing, to have an education in history, politics, and government, to help them be aware of not only of their rights, but how those in the past have overcome oppression and how they can do the same. One can learn only in a state of freedom, and an education keeps them free. So while we have answered that an education keeps one free, another still remains: how do we become free in order to obtain our

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