European Studies as Answer to Allan Bloom's 'The Closing of the American Mind.'

European studies can provide a solution to several of the issues raised in Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind." European studies pursue the academic quest for what is truth, what is goodness, and what is beauty. In seeking to answer these questions, the Greeks were among the first to explore many of humanity's problems and their legacy had an impact on democracy and the disciplines of history and philosophy. The Romans were heavily influenced by the Greeks but passed on their own contributions to law, government, language, and literature. The English also made significant contributions to these same areas. The most notable French contributions include the writings of Montaigne, Pascal, Moliere, Rousseau, Sartre, and Camus. German influence is seen in music, with great composers such as Bach and Beethoven offering outstanding contributions. Christian orthodoxy also has been a significant force in European culture. Contributions of Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther show major impacts on the development of religion in Europe. European studies can and should be used as a key component of the search for truth, goodness, and beauty. (AS)