Classical Education - The Great Democratic Hedge

Culture is often unapologetically evaluative. It refers to lower and higher, better and best. A cultural achievement elevates, it improves. We talk no more about better people. Who are you to tell me what's good? Mozart's music is not better than rap, just different. But some judgments cannot be made by a show of hands. The majority doesn't always rule, nor in some matters. And here's the rub: Classical education was thought to improve the learner, not simply to make him more knowledgeable or tolerant or mentally skilful - but better and stronger. Perhaps this very attribution of quality to those equipped with classical learning poses the most formidable barrier