Not For Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities

Not For Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities. This concise and well-written book thoroughly debunks two of the main areas of focus in American education: 1) That education is primarily important for creating good workers, and 2) That math and science are the most important subjects. This book makes a strong case that education should primarily serve to create better and more able citizens and more fulfilled humans and that the humanities are every bit as important as math and science. The author provides a brief history of progressive education from the late 18th century up through Dewey and Tagore. The latter is an interesting figure, having introduced many progressive ideas into Indian education (on top of being an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and artist). In a time when corporate education reformers are running roughshod over American education, this book is valuable and timely.