Image via The Atlantic

Alfred Whitney Griswold’s claim that the surest path to wisdom is a liberal education is, of course, a defense of the humanities. And once again, the relevance of the humanities is under attack. For perspective, consider this article written by Paul Gagnon in 1988. He understood the issue deeply—his life’s work emphasized the role of history in cultivating sound judgment and civic responsibility.

In the article, which originally appeared in The Atlantic, Gagnon argues that civic education helps us see democracy not as a fixed destination but as a way of living.

It teaches that not all problems have clear solutions, and that we must often live with uncertainty, accept compromise, and balance rights with responsibilities.

Through history, biography, and literature, we gain insight into human nature, society, and the challenges of building and sustaining a just world. We learn to recognize both the tragic and the comic, to value effort over outcome, and to respect the messy, ongoing work of democracy.

Civic education asks us to stay informed, think critically, and act with integrity—even when it’s difficult. It helps us understand how our diverse society, shifting economy, and evolving global role demand thoughtful, engaged citizens. In this way, civic education prepares us not just to understand democracy, but to live it.

You can lean on this thinking if you find yourself needing to explain why the humanities still matter—even in the age of AI.

ARTICLE: Why Study History?