The Importance of Questioning and Challenging: A Higher Education Fail?

Abstract

A primary goal of education, especially higher education, is to provide students with the tools to think for themselves—that is, how to think, not what to think. The authors demonstrate that many theories have not stood the test of time. This includes views and beliefs such as rational choice theory, maximizing shareholder value, greed is good, what it takes to be a great leader, and many more. Therefore, it is essential to teach students not to accept what they are taught without deliberation. Questioning so-called facts is a good trait, and higher education should not be about blind acceptance or indoctrination.