Freedom and Liberal Learning Discussed at Freshman Foundation Lecture
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College Professor of History Paul Moreno presented the fourth lecture of the Freshman Foundation series. Moreno’s lecture emphasized freedom as the fourth pillar of a Hillsdale College liberal arts education.
The lecture was introduced by Mark Maier, associate provost, who discussed the purpose of this series. “The goal of the Freshman Foundation series, which are given by our divisional deans is to familiarize you with the four founding principles of the college, learning, character, faith, and freedom,” said Moyar. “These themes will continue to be woven throughout your education over the next four years. We want you to recognize these important principles and how they relate to your everyday life.”
Following this introduction, Moreno spoke on liberty as it frames liberal learning and life. “Liberal education is spending four years thinking about what it means to be a human being and how we ought to live in accord with that understanding and the subject of ethics. In the political sense, we can recognize the idea that self-government in a polity, particularly in a democratic republic, requires that individual citizens of that republic govern themselves and use liberty rightly.”
Liberty may be exercised in either a positive or a perverted manner. The liberal arts education seeks to equip students with the ability to distinguish this difference. “The whole purpose of a liberal education is to guide you along the path of recognizing what the good is and how you ought to use the liberty that you have,” said Moreno.
Hillsdale College launched the Freshman Foundation Lecture Series in the fall of 2021. The series addresses the four purposes — or pillars — of Hillsdale College: learning, character, faith, and freedom. It complements the Senior Capstone Course, also established in 2019, in which students discuss the four pillars in the context of each student’s core and major course of study.
For photos previous Freshman Foundation Lectures, click here.