Exploring the Human-Centered Value of Liberal Arts Education in the Future Educational Paradigm of Education 5.0

Education 5.0, proposed as a paradigm for future education, has emerged against the backdrop of social and educational changes driven by the proliferation of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). It begins with the need to move beyond technology-centered efficiency and to reestablish the values of humanity and community. Education 5.0 does not regard advanced technologies as mere tools of efficiency but reinterprets them as instruments for holistic human development and social well-being, thereby finding resonance with the ideals of humanistic education. This study explores how liberal arts education, by aligning with the core values of Education 5.0—human-centeredness, creativity, community orientation, and well-being—can remain a vital domain for fostering inner reflection and critical thinking in the digital age. Through this perspective, the study theoretically examines the philosophical and pedagogical roles of liberal arts education and its practical potential within a technology-driven society. Furthermore, it argues that liberal arts education is not a supplementary component but a humanistic foundation that redefines the sustainability of future society and the very purpose of education through the balance between technology and humanity, and between individuals and communities.