Aristotle’s reasons for the promotion of liberal education were not related to the
mind alone. A liberal or free education consists of subjects suitable for the free citizen,
and includes literature and the arts which develop the whole person. Newman claims
that a liberal education promotes the attributes of freedom, equitableness, calmness,
moderation and wisdom – in short, a philosophical habit of mind (Heath 1959). On
the contrary, ‘illiberal subjects’ like trades and skills ‘absorb and degrade the mind’
and are only suitable for slaves and wage-earners. Therefore, no subject should be
included in the curriculum simply because of its vocational value.