This might sound impossibly old-fashioned, but I still like the idea that education is about learning: facts, skills, concepts, research, culture, analysis, inspiration. It’s supposed to enrich our lives and make us better citizens and independent thinkers.

As the dust settles on another contentious election cycle, Americans are left to ponder the lasting impact of the countless speeches delivered by those vying for our votes. These orations, often derided as mere “campaign rhetoric,” are, in fact, far more profound. They represent a timeless exercise of the ancient concept of “logos” — the art of using words to paint vivid pictures, conjure entire worlds and shape the very course of our nation.