I believe that the antidote in this frightening era of polarization in the United States-an example of which is nurses' inability to respect each others' opinions-is a return to basic academic skills, such as the study of great art, literature, music, and philosophy. This type of study provides the foundation for an educated and thoughtful populace. Without it, thoughtful debate and democracy are impossible.

When I teach undergraduate and graduate nursing students these days, I'm amazed by their lack of basic academic skills. Most of the younger psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists are up on the current psychology literature and technically adept, but they've never read Dickens, Jane Austen, or Homer, all of whom understood so much about human relationships and psychological health.

Charles Kaiman, MS, RN, NP

Albuquerque, NM