The World in Time / Lapham’s Quarterly Episode 85: Roosevelt Montás
Mar 4, 2022
Roosevelt Montás, a senior lecturer at Columbia University and author of 'Rescuing Socrates', shares his inspiring journey from the Dominican Republic to academia. He discusses how discovering Plato’s dialogues transformed his worldview and ignited his passion for liberal education. Montás emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship and the importance of a well-rounded education in fostering self-awareness and civic engagement. He also critiques the current decline of liberal education and urges a return to seeking deeper meaning in learning beyond mere vocational training.
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Finding Plato in the Trash
- Roosevelt Montás found a volume of Plato's dialogues in a garbage pile during high school in Queens.
- This chance encounter sparked his lifelong engagement with liberal education and philosophy.
Columbia and Core Curriculum Beginnings
- Encouraged by a high school teacher, Montás applied and was accepted to Columbia University via a special program.
- He discovered Columbia's core curriculum, which became foundational to his education and identity.
Education as Self-Examination
- Liberal education is a tool for self-exploration and cultivating self-awareness.
- Augustine's inward turn exemplifies how education reorients us to examine ourselves deeply.
