In his book, Murray centers his discussion around four educational truths:
· Academic ability varies.
· Half of the students will always be below average.
· Too many people are going to college, and many are suffering because of it.
· America’s future depends on how we educate those who do belong in college.
Murray is aware that these statements cannot be said in polite company. His four truths have prompted many of his critics to accuse them of containing “unvarnished elitism,” which is of course unacceptable for those who think college is for everyone.
However, if we define elitism as the unjust preference of a select few as opposed to concern for the good of all, I found Murray’s perspective far from elitist.
For example, one of his points that particularly struck me was that we have subconsciously (and unjustly) made the bachelor’s degree the “symbol of first-class citizenship.” And as every high