William Deresiewicz Engages Masters Community

“Before taking action, commit to reflection,” advised award-winning author, speaker and critic William Deresiewicz during his presentation to Upper School students on Thursday, October 4.

Deresiewicz discussed the ideas he presents in his book Excellent Sheep, The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life, which takes a critical look at liberal arts education, the forces impacting students and institutions, and what is lost when college is understood in exclusively practical terms. During his two-day visit to Masters, William Deresiewicz also met with parents and faculty.

The main theme of the author’s message to students was to challenge preconceptions and remain open to being wrong and changing one’s mind. “Think about what a good society is rather than throwing slogans,” and abandon the assumption of one side being “in full possession of the truth.”

“Before you can learn, you have to unlearn,” Deresiewicz said, as he described his ideal educational institutions as, “a place that teaches you how to think, not what to think,” so students could ask fundamental questions about themselves: “Who am I? What is good? and What do I care about?”

Deresiewicz delved on what he calls the “careerist purpose of education,” a path centered on equipping students for worldly success: “Accumulating as much status, wealth and success as possible,” without pursuing meaningful fulfillment.

The Columbia University graduate and former Yale professor who left academia to become a full-time writer, suggested that the stress behind the college admission process seems to be misplaced. “What matters is the student, not the college,” he said, and added, “The college you go to will not determine your success.”

Deresiewicz ended his presentation by saying, “You have a rare and privileged chance to do what you love,” and encouraged them “to pursue your true calling.”

William Deresiewicz's sitdown interview with our student-run Panther TV group



William Deresiewicz's presentation to Upper School parents on Wednesday, October 3


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