The Closing of the American Mind

1. Relativism and Openness: The Modern Moral Landscape

The relativity of truth is not a theoretical insight but a moral postulate, the condition of a free society, or so they see it.

Moral Relativism Reigns. Today's students are unified by a belief in relativism, viewing truth as subjective and culturally dependent. This perspective is seen as essential for maintaining an open and tolerant society, replacing traditional notions of inalienable natural rights.

The Virtue of Openness. Primary education has prioritized openness above all else, teaching students to avoid judgment and embrace diverse viewpoints. The fear of intolerance overshadows the pursuit of truth, leading to a reluctance to assert any values as superior.

Consequences for Society. This shift from natural rights to indiscriminate freedom weakens the foundations of the social contract. Without shared goals or a vision of the public good, the possibility of a cohesive society is called into question.

2. The Erosion of Foundational Knowledge

The palpable difference between these two can easily be found in the changed understanding of what it means to be an American.

Decline of Shared Heritage. Students today possess significantly less knowledge of American history and its heroes compared to previous generations. This erosion of a shared national narrative leaves a void, replaced by a superficial awareness of other cultures and social science formulas.

Loss of Cultural Anchors. The disappearance of traditional sources of knowledge, such as the Bible and classic literature, has left students without a framework for understanding the world. This lack of cultural literacy hinders their ability to engage with complex ideas and make informed judgments.

The Family's Diminished Role. The modern family, despite its good intentions, often fails to provide children with a coherent vision of the world or a strong sense of connection to the past. This spiritual emptiness contributes to the students' lack of direction and purpose.

3. The Allure and Peril of Music

The power of music in the soul—described to Jessica marvelously by Lorenzo in the Merchant of Venice—has been recovered after a long period of desuetude.

Rock Music's Dominance. Rock music has become the dominant force in the lives of young people, eclipsing classical music and other forms of cultural expression. This addiction to music shapes their passions, values, and worldview.

Barbaric Appeal. Rock music's primary appeal is to sexual desire, often in an undeveloped and untutored form. The lyrics and imagery celebrate selfishness, rebellion, and a smarmy version of brotherly love, undermining traditional values and moral constraints.

Impact on Education. The constant exposure to rock music ruins the imagination of young people and makes it difficult for them to have a passionate relationship with art and thought. It provides premature ecstasy and hinders the development of a mature and nuanced understanding of the world.

4. The Self-Centeredness and Isolation of Students

Their primary preoccupation is themselves, understood in the narrowest sense.

Survivalism over Heroism. Students today are characterized by a self-ironical niceness and a focus on personal survival rather than grand ideals. This inward turn is a response to a sense of isolation and a lack of connection to broader concerns.

Decline of Community. The erosion of traditional institutions, such as country, religion, and family, has left young people with no alternative to looking inward. The absence of shared goals or a vision of the public good makes it difficult to form meaningful connections with others.

The Family's Diminished Influence. The decline of the family as a transmitter of tradition has further contributed to the students' self-centeredness. Parents often lack the authority or knowledge to provide their children with a coherent moral framework.

5. The Mirage of Equality and the Reality of Separateness

The palpable difference between these two can easily be found in the changed understanding of what it means to be an American.

Egalitarianism as an Instinct. Students today possess an instinctive belief in equality, rejecting traditional hierarchies and prejudices. This egalitarianism, however, often masks a deeper sense of isolation and a lack of genuine connection with others.

The Failure of Integration. Despite the formal integration of universities, racial segregation persists in social life and academic pursuits. White and black students often remain separate, hindering the development of genuine friendships and understanding.

The Trap of Affirmative Action. Affirmative action, while intended to promote equality, has inadvertently reinforced separatism and created a sense of shame and resentment among black students. It has also lowered standards and undermined the credibility of black achievement.

6. The Sexual Revolution and the Feminist Project

Sex and its consequences—love, marriage and family—have finally become the theme of the national project, and here the problem of nature, always present but always repressed in the reconstruction of man demanded by freedom and equality, becomes insistent.

The Sexual Revolution's Promise and Peril. The sexual revolution, initially promising liberation and happiness, has led to a trivialization of sex and a weakening of traditional bonds. The absence of moral restraints has created a sense of confusion and uncertainty.

Feminism's Complex Legacy. Feminism, while advocating for equality and challenging traditional gender roles, has also contributed to the erosion of the family and the isolation of individuals. The emphasis on self-fulfillment and career advancement has often come at the expense of meaningful relationships and family life.

The Loss of Modesty. The suppression of modesty, a key element of both the sexual revolution and feminism, has further eroded the foundations of traditional relationships. Modesty, which once served to channel and sublimate sexual desire, has been replaced by a culture of openness and permissiveness.

7. The German Roots of Contemporary Thought

There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes, that truth is relative.

The Influence of German Philosophy. Contemporary American thought has been profoundly shaped by German philosophers such as Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Weber. These thinkers, while offering valuable insights, have also contributed to a sense of relativism and nihilism.

The Value Revolution. Nietzsche's "value revolution" has led to a rejection of traditional notions of good and evil, replacing them with a subjective and often arbitrary system of values. This has undermined the foundations of morality and created a sense of meaninglessness.

The Americanization of Despair. The American embrace of German philosophy has often resulted in a trivialization of its core ideas. The profound despair and existential angst of thinkers like Nietzsche and Heidegger have been diluted and transformed into a vague sense of unease and a superficial pursuit of self-fulfillment.

8. The University's Role in a Democratic Society

The heart of Professor Bloom’s argument is that the university, in a society ruled by public opinion, was to have been an island of intellectual freedom where all views were investigated without restriction.

The University as a Bastion of Reason. The university, in a democratic society, should serve as an island of intellectual freedom, where all views are investigated without restriction. It is a place where reason and truth are valued above all else.

The Erosion of Intellectual Freedom. The university has increasingly become inundated with the backflow of society's problems, preoccupied with questions of Health, Sex, Race, and War. This has led to a decline in intellectual rigor and a weakening of the university's commitment to its core mission.

The Need for a Return to First Principles. To fulfill its role in a democratic society, the university must resist the pressures of public opinion and reaffirm its commitment to the pursuit of truth. It must provide students with the tools and knowledge necessary to engage in critical thinking and make informed judgments.

9. The Disciplines: A Fractured Landscape

The palpable difference between these two can easily be found in the changed understanding of what it means to be an American.

The Fragmentation of Knowledge. The modern university is characterized by a fragmentation of knowledge, with little communication or collaboration between the various disciplines. This lack of unity hinders the development of a comprehensive understanding of the world.

The Dominance of Natural Science. Natural science, with its emphasis on objectivity and empirical evidence, has gained a position of dominance within the university. This has led to a devaluation of the humanities and social sciences, which are often seen as less rigorous or relevant.

The Crisis of the Humanities. The humanities, once the heart of a liberal education, have suffered a decline in prestige and influence. This decline is due in part to the rise of relativism and the loss of a shared sense of purpose.

10. The Need for a Resurgence of Liberal Education

A liberal education means precisely helping students to pose this question to themselves, to become aware that the answer is neither obvious nor simply unavailable, and that there is no serious life in which this question is not a continuous concern.

The Importance of Asking "What is Man?". A liberal education should help students to pose the fundamental question of "What is man?" and to explore the alternative answers offered by the great thinkers of the past. This requires a willingness to resist easy answers and engage in critical self-reflection.

The Value of Great Books. The study of classic texts is essential for a liberal education, as it provides access to the accumulated wisdom of humanity. These books offer models of thought and action that can inspire and guide students in their own lives.

The Teacher's Role. The teacher's role is to assist students in fulfilling their human nature against the deforming forces of convention and prejudice. This requires a belief in the existence of the soul and a commitment to helping students develop their full potential.

Last updated: April 8, 2025