The Closing of the American Mind

I just finished reading Allan Bloom's, The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students. First, let me say that I'm on the very late freight train. I should have read this years ago, but due to the fog of youth I didn't.

For those who have not read it, Bloom argues American universities are teaching a moral value of openness that really is not an opening of the mind, but in reality a closing of the mind in the form of cultural relativism and a desire not "to know thyself."

Bloom's criticism of the university system for it's failure to educate is a scathing critique from the inside. He speaks from over thirty years of experience in the system. Some of his insights are still crystal clear today as they were in 1987 when the book was first published. For example, the dominance of the natural science to the point of skewing the university system as a form of careerism. Or the poor attempt by the university to counteract the removal of liberal arts requirements from the college curriculum.

Even though I enjoyed Bloom's writing, there are some problems with the book, such as his mentioning of the 'soul' being replaced by the self, but not really expanding on the difference of a soul from the self. As somebody who needs explaining, Bloom missed this. Bloom also assumes some important points that should have been part of his discussion. Like a detailed explanation of "the serious life" and "the good life." Are they different aspects of the same truly liberally educated person? The connection is not made and the reader is left to fill in the gaps.

But, what I wanted to ask is, Should it matter that Bloom was homosexual? As a conservative Christian thinker, one would automatically think that I'm quick to shot the messenger if there is any stain of 'sin' especially homosexuality. But quite to the contrary, I value truth no matter what corner it comes from. We all are sinners and homosexuality is just one in many. But truth is truth and can come from the most unexpected places.

The problem is most people have agendas and it's not the truth.