About this episode
The episode explores the purpose of education amidst the decline of humanities courses and the economic pressures on universities.
Universities across the country are cutting back on humanities courses – philosophy, history, modern languages – subjects long seen as central to a well-rounded education. The reason is familiar: falling student numbers, financial pressure, and a growing insistence that degrees must demonstrate clear economic value. If a course doesn’t lead to a well-paid job, why should anyone fund it? That points to a deeper divide about what education is for. Is it an intrinsic good: valuable in itself, shaping critical thinking, moral judgment, and an understanding of the world? Or is it an extrinsic one: a means to an end, justified by the jobs it produces and the growth it delivers? For centuries, from Socrates onwards, education has been tied to human flourishing – to forming citizens, not just workers. But today, the language has shifted. Students are consumers. Universities compete. Courses are judged by salary. And the tensions don’t stop there. If education is a public good, why does access remain so uneven, divided between state and private schools, with women significantly underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) – opportunity shaped as much by…
Topics covered
- education
- humanities
- economic value
- neurodiversity
- public good
- access to education
Keywords
- education
- humanities
- Socrates
- neurodiversity
- public good
- STEM
- economic value
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BBC Radio 4, STEM
More episodes of Moral Maze
- Is the World Cup morally compromised? · June 11, 2026 · 58 min
- Who is morally responsible for Britain's political short-termism? · June 5, 2026 · 57 min
- Artemis 2 and the ethics of human space flight · April 2, 2026 · 57 min
- Is an Established Church Morally Defensible? · March 27, 2026 · 58 min
- Economic shocks: is there a duty to accept sacrifice? · March 19, 2026 · 58 min
- Pragmatism and Principle: what is the role of morality in foreign policy? · March 12, 2026 · 57 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Moral Maze podcast page.