At the heart of American higher education lies a longstanding tradition - the liberal arts. This broad-based approach to learning, emphasizing critical thinking, and cultivation of democratic values, has been a defining strength of our universities. Ezekiel Emanuel from University of Pennsylvania analyzes how the liberal arts have been devalued as career training and narrow specialization have taken precedence. As we contend with growing political polarization and a public discourse lacking nuance, it is vital that we rediscover and reinvigorate the liberal arts ideals that foster reasoned debate, intellectual curiosity, and cross-cultural understanding.