Key Takeaways
1. Relativism and Openness: The Modern Moral Landscape
The relativity of truth is not a theoretical insight but a moral postulate, the condition of a free society, or so they see it.
Moral Relativism Reigns. Today's students are unified by a belief in relativism, viewing truth as subjective and culturally dependent. This perspective is seen as essential for maintaining an open and tolerant society, replacing traditional notions of inalienable natural rights.
The Virtue of Openness. Primary education has prioritized openness above all else, teaching students to avoid judgment and embrace diverse viewpoints. The fear of intolerance overshadows the pursuit of truth, leading to a reluctance to assert any values as superior.
Consequences for Society. This shift from natural rights to indiscriminate freedom weakens the foundations of the social contract. Without shared goals or a vision of the public good, the possibility of a cohesive society is called into question.
2. The Erosion of Foundational Knowledge
The palpable difference between these two can easily be found in the changed understanding of what it means to be an American.
Decline of Shared Heritage. Students today possess significantly less knowledge of American history and its heroes compared to previous generations. This erosion of a shared national narrative leaves a void, replaced by a superficial awareness of other cultures and social science formulas.
Loss of Cultural Anchors. The disappearance of traditional sources of knowledge, such as the Bible and classic literature, has left students without a framework for understanding the world. This lack of cultural literacy hinders their ability to engage with complex ideas and make informed judgments.
The Family's Diminished Role. The modern family, despite its good intentions, often fails to provide children with a coherent vision of the world or a strong sense of connection to the past. This spiritual emptiness contributes to the students' lack of direction and purpose.
3. The Allure and Peril of Music
The power of music in the soul—described to Jessica marvelously by Lorenzo in the Merchant of Venice—has been recovered after a long period of desuetude.
Rock Music's Dominance. Rock music has become the dominant force in the lives of young people, eclipsing classical music and other forms of cultural expression. This addiction to music shapes their passions, values, and worldview.
Barbaric Appeal. Rock music's primary appeal is to sexual desire, often in an undeveloped and untutored form. The lyrics and imagery celebrate selfishness, rebellion, and a smarmy version of brotherly love, undermining traditional values and moral constraints.
Impact on Education. The constant exposure to rock music ruins the imagination of young people and makes it difficult for them to have a passionate relationship with art and thought. It provides premature ecstasy and hinders the development of a mature and nuanced understanding of the world.
4. The Self-Centeredness and Isolation of Students
Their primary preoccupation is themselves, understood in the narrowest sense.
Survivalism over Heroism. Students today are characterized by a self-ironical niceness and a focus on personal survival rather than grand ideals. This inward turn is a response to a sense of isolation and a lack of connection to broader concerns.
Decline of Community. The erosion of traditional institutions, such as country, religion, and family, has left young people with no alternative to looking inward. The absence of shared goals or a vision of the public good makes it difficult to form meaningful connections with others.
The Family's Diminished Influence. The decline of the family as a transmitter of tradition has further contributed to the students' self-centeredness. Parents often lack the authority or knowledge to provide their children with a coherent moral framework.
5. The Mirage of Equality and the Reality of Separateness
The palpable difference between these two can easily be found in the changed understanding of what it means to be an American.
Egalitarianism as an Instinct. Students today possess an instinctive belief in equality, rejecting traditional hierarchies and prejudices. This egalitarianism, however, often masks a deeper sense of isolation and a lack of genuine connection with others.
The Failure of Integration. Despite the formal integration of universities, racial segregation persists in social life and academic pursuits. White and black students often remain separate, hindering the development of genuine friendships and understanding.
The Trap of Affirmative Action. Affirmative action, while intended to promote equality, has inadvertently reinforced separatism and created a sense of shame and resentment among black students. It has also lowered standards and undermined the credibility of black achievement.
6. The Sexual Revolution and the Feminist Project
Sex and its consequences—love, marriage and family—have finally become the theme of the national project, and here the problem of nature, always present but always repressed in the reconstruction of man demanded by freedom and equality, becomes insistent.
The Sexual Revolution's Promise and Peril. The sexual revolution, initially promising liberation and happiness, has led to a trivialization of sex and a weakening of traditional bonds. The absence of moral restraints has created a sense of confusion and uncertainty.
Feminism's Complex Legacy. Feminism, while advocating for equality and challenging traditional gender roles, has also contributed to the erosion of the family and the isolation of individuals. The emphasis on self-fulfillment and career advancement has often come at the expense of meaningful relationships and family life.
The Loss of Modesty. The suppression of modesty, a key element of both the sexual revolution and feminism, has further eroded the foundations of traditional relationships. Modesty, which once served to channel and sublimate sexual desire, has been replaced by a culture of openness and permissiveness.
7. The German Roots of Contemporary Thought
There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative.
The Influence of German Philosophy. Contemporary American thought has been profoundly shaped by German philosophers such as Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Weber. These thinkers, while offering valuable insights, have also contributed to a sense of relativism and nihilism.
The Value Revolution. Nietzsche's "value revolution" has led to a rejection of traditional notions of good and evil, replacing them with a subjective and often arbitrary system of values. This has undermined the foundations of morality and created a sense of meaninglessness.
The Americanization of Despair. The American embrace of German philosophy has often resulted in a trivialization of its core ideas. The profound despair and existential angst of thinkers like Nietzsche and Heidegger have been diluted and transformed into a vague sense of unease and a superficial pursuit of self-fulfillment.
8. The University's Role in a Democratic Society
The heart of Professor Bloom’s argument is that the university, in a society ruled by public opinion, was to have been an island of intellectual freedom where all views were investigated without restriction.
The University as a Bastion of Reason. The university, in a democratic society, should serve as an island of intellectual freedom, where all views are investigated without restriction. It is a place where reason and truth are valued above all else.
The Erosion of Intellectual Freedom. The university has increasingly become inundated with the backflow of society's problems, preoccupied with questions of Health, Sex, Race, and War. This has led to a decline in intellectual rigor and a weakening of the university's commitment to its core mission.
The Need for a Return to First Principles. To fulfill its role in a democratic society, the university must resist the pressures of public opinion and reaffirm its commitment to the pursuit of truth. It must provide students with the tools and knowledge necessary to engage in critical thinking and make informed judgments.
9. The Disciplines: A Fractured Landscape
The palpable difference between these two can easily be found in the changed understanding of what it means to be an American.
The Fragmentation of Knowledge. The modern university is characterized by a fragmentation of knowledge, with little communication or collaboration between the various disciplines. This lack of unity hinders the development of a comprehensive understanding of the world.
The Dominance of Natural Science. Natural science, with its emphasis on objectivity and empirical evidence, has gained a position of dominance within the university. This has led to a devaluation of the humanities and social sciences, which are often seen as less rigorous or relevant.
The Crisis of the Humanities. The humanities, once the heart of a liberal education, have suffered a decline in prestige and influence. This decline is due in part to the rise of relativism and the loss of a shared sense of purpose.
10. The Need for a Resurgence of Liberal Education
A liberal education means precisely helping students to pose this question to themselves, to become aware that the answer is neither obvious nor simply unavailable, and that there is no serious life in which this question is not a continuous concern.
The Importance of Asking "What is Man?". A liberal education should help students to pose the fundamental question of "What is man?" and to explore the alternative answers offered by the great thinkers of the past. This requires a willingness to resist easy answers and engage in critical self-reflection.
The Value of Great Books. The study of classic texts is essential for a liberal education, as it provides access to the accumulated wisdom of humanity. These books offer models of thought and action that can inspire and guide students in their own lives.
The Teacher's Role. The teacher's role is to assist students in fulfilling their human nature against the deforming forces of convention and prejudice. This requires a belief in the existence of the soul and a commitment to helping students develop their full potential.
Last updated:
FAQ
What is The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom about?
- Crisis in Higher Education: The book examines the decline of American higher education, arguing that universities have failed to nurture students’ intellects and souls.
- Relativism and Cultural Decline: Bloom critiques the rise of relativism, the loss of classical learning, and the dominance of popular culture, which he believes have impoverished students and society.
- Philosophical and Cultural Roots: Drawing on classical philosophy and modern thinkers, Bloom traces the intellectual and cultural shifts that have led to the current crisis in education and democracy.
Why should I read The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom?
- Insight into Education Crisis: The book offers a penetrating analysis of the problems facing American universities and their broader impact on democracy and culture.
- Philosophical and Historical Depth: Bloom connects contemporary issues to deep philosophical debates, referencing thinkers like Plato, Rousseau, Nietzsche, and Kant.
- Challenge to Critical Thinking: Readers are encouraged to reconsider the purpose of education, the nature of truth, and the role of culture in shaping the soul.
What are the key takeaways from The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom?
- Relativism Undermines Truth: The widespread belief in the relativity of truth erodes the pursuit of knowledge and the good life.
- Fragmentation of Knowledge: Universities are divided into isolated disciplines, lacking a unifying vision of education or the educated person.
- Loss of Cultural and Intellectual Grounding: Students arrive at university spiritually and culturally impoverished, lacking exposure to classical literature and moral frameworks.
- Impact of Popular Culture: The dominance of rock music and mass culture shapes students’ desires and distracts from serious intellectual engagement.
How does Allan Bloom describe the state of American students in The Closing of the American Mind?
- Spiritually Impoverished: Students lack deep self-knowledge and familiarity with classical texts or religious traditions that once shaped moral imagination.
- Self-Centered and Egalitarian: While generally nice and open-minded, students are preoccupied with themselves and immediate concerns, rather than broader civic or moral issues.
- Relational Confusion: Relationships are marked by separateness, lack of commitment, and diminished sense of love and eros, reflecting broader social changes.
What is Allan Bloom’s critique of relativism and openness in The Closing of the American Mind?
- Relativism as Moral Stance: Bloom argues that relativism is not a theoretical insight but a moral postulate meant to protect openness and prevent intolerance.
- Paradox of Openness: The pursuit of openness leads to conformity and the loss of a shared vision or common good, effectively “closing” the mind.
- Suppression of the Quest for Truth: Relativism discourages the search for objective truth and the good life, leaving students with insubstantial values.
How does The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom analyze the impact of popular culture and music on students?
- Dominance of Rock Music: Bloom sees rock music as the defining passion of youth, replacing classical music and literature as formative influences.
- Impoverishment of the Soul: The focus on immediate pleasure and rebellion in popular culture undermines students’ capacity for serious intellectual engagement.
- Philosophical Significance: Music, as the medium of the soul’s ecstatic states, reflects the broader cultural decline when reason is subordinated to passion.
What does Allan Bloom say about the decline of the family and its impact on students in The Closing of the American Mind?
- Decay of Family Authority: The family no longer transmits a coherent vision of the world or moral education, leading to spiritual emptiness.
- Effects of Divorce: High rates of divorce create emotional and intellectual handicaps, fostering fear and self-protectiveness in students.
- Loss of Rootedness: The breakdown of family bonds leaves students lacking unconditional attachments and undermines their capacity for commitment and community.
How does The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom address the role of classical literature and books in education?
- Loss of Literary Culture: Students have lost the practice and taste for reading great books, resulting in a diminished moral and psychological imagination.
- Impact of Activism: Feminist and radical critiques have led to indifference or alienation from classic texts, further eroding literary education.
- Importance of Great Books: Bloom advocates for a return to the study of classic literature as essential for moral reasoning and self-understanding.
What are the key philosophical influences discussed in The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom?
- Nietzsche and Heidegger: Their ideas about value creation, nihilism, and the death of God have profoundly shaped American intellectual culture.
- Freud and Weber: These thinkers popularized Nietzschean ideas in psychology and sociology, emphasizing the relativity of values and the unconscious.
- Rousseau and Locke: Their contrasting views on human nature and society underpin much of Bloom’s analysis of modern political philosophy and education.
How does Allan Bloom describe the transformation of the university and its divisions in The Closing of the American Mind?
- Fragmentation of Disciplines: The university is divided into natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, each isolated and lacking a unifying vision.
- Natural Sciences’ Coherence: Natural sciences maintain clarity and internal agreement, enjoying respect and resources.
- Social Sciences’ Fragmentation: Social sciences are divided over fundamental assumptions and face ideological pressures.
- Humanities in Crisis: The humanities lack coherence and confidence, often succumbing to relativism and political correctness.
What is Allan Bloom’s view on the role and condition of philosophy in the modern university as presented in The Closing of the American Mind?
- Marginalization of Philosophy: Philosophy has lost its traditional role as the unifying discipline of the university, becoming just another subject.
- Loss of Authority: The rise of science and social science, along with cultural changes, has diminished philosophy’s influence and prestige.
- Potential for Renewal: Bloom believes philosophy remains essential for addressing fundamental human questions and calls for its renewed engagement in liberal education.
How does The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom analyze the impact of the 1960s on American universities?
- Crisis and Collapse: The 1960s saw the dismantling of rational inquiry and the imposition of ideological agendas in universities.
- Rise of Moralism and Activism: Student movements replaced academic freedom and rigorous inquiry with moral fervor and political activism.
- Long-Term Effects: The reforms of the 1960s led to the erosion of core curricula, decline of humanities, and homogenization of intellectual life, weakening the university’s ability to provide a meaningful liberal education.
Review Summary
The Closing of the American Mind sparked controversy upon its 1987 release. Bloom critiques higher education's failure to cultivate critical thinking and engage with great philosophical works. He laments the rise of moral relativism and decline of classical liberal education. While some praise Bloom's defense of Western canon and intellectual rigor, others criticize his elitist tone and conservative views. The book remains influential, provoking debate on the purpose of education and the state of American culture.
Similar Books
Download PDF
Download EPUB
.epub digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.
