The Higher Learning in America (ePub)

Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929), an American economist and sociologist, was an insightful critic of capitalism and its cultural implications. He emerged from a Norwegian immigrant background to become one of the most provocative and influential thinkers of his time. Veblen studied at Carleton College, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University, earning his Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1884. His academic career was not without controversy, leading to a series of short tenures at various universities. Veblen's erudite writing carried a heavy emphasis on the social implications of economic practices, most notably the concept of 'conspicuous consumption,' a term he coined in his seminal book 'The Theory of the Leisure Class' (1899). Another significant contribution to the field of education is 'The Higher Learning in America' (1918), where Veblen critiqued the burgeoning corporate influence over academic institutions and their detrimental effect on intellectual freedom and scientific inquiry. His work often displayed a disenchanted view of economic institutions, critiquing their evolution not as logical or efficient outcomes but rather as developments shaped by vested interests and cultural biases. Veblen's legacy is enduring; his sharp observations of economic and social phenomena remain relevant, resonating with contemporary sociological and economic thought.