Liberal Arts degrees

[ryoder]

There is a stigma among intellectual elites that was common before the age of exploration that work and commerce are ignoble and are tasks left to the slaves and the lowest in society.
The pursuits of law, government and art were the only noble professions.
It was the demonization of commerce that held the entire world back until finally through the protestant reformation in Europe, the stage was set for capitalism. The protestants believed that your work on this earth was to be done for the glory of God. They thought that by "finding your calling" you were serving God. This allowed the pursuit of capitalism and fueled American productivity for many years.

Only in capitalism are economic pursuits considered noble.

This is why a liberal person would be ashamed of a professional degree and proud of a liberal arts degree such as philosophy, womens studies, history etc.

I am reading The History of Management Thought right now and its an excellent reading.