<p>“What was interesting was that the Arts and Sciences programs produced more critical thinkers than engineering and computer science.”</p>
<p>One might argue that the engineers and cs majors have a jump on critical thinking skills, as they are making choices that will allow them healthy job prospects after graduation, as opposed to those who go to college to “find themselves” or to delay entry into the job market, (not saying that liberal arts majors have that as their goal–but I doubt cs and engineering majors do). After four+ years of the effort and cost of college, I’d say it’s decent critical thinking to consider what might enhance your ability to support yourself and your family.</p>
<p>As far as being concerned whether your child will be a mindless zombie, just soaking up propaganda from other people…if you haven’t taught them to think for themselves by now, no college and certainly no major is going to do that. In my opinion, kids should choose their major based upon interest, ability and employability, not what will give them better critical thinking skills. And there are unthinking zombies on every side of the spectrum, thinking they are the enlightened ones and everyone else is an idiot. They just can’t realize that their smug confidence in the absolute truth is just as wrong as those unenlightened ones.</p>