Abstract

This chapter considers what Ender's experiences tell us about the differences between liberal education, vocational training, critical inquiry, and that elusive matter of freedom in, and as a result of education. Specifically, the chapter addresses the following questions: Does everyone need a liberal education? Are schools training grounds for the workplace? And finally, is critical inquiry essential to being an educated person? Ender does get a kind of liberal education with three core aspects. First, in terms of comprehension and performance, Ender learns about military history, military tactics, and strategic‐oriented mathematical calculations in the classroom. Second, he develops problem‐solving skills in the cyber‐reality of the computer game, the Giant's Drink. Third, in terms of interactive performance and cognition, Ender learns about hand‐to‐hand combat and command in the simulated war games of the battleroom. Ender's Game illustrates just how different views of pedagogy can intermingle and conflict with one another.