This essay argues the importance of teacher preparation programs establishing holistic programs that have a solid intellectual, philosophic foundation that goes beyond a set of prescribed outcomes. In holistic programs, understanding "why" becomes as important as knowing "how." Teacher education students have a right to expect to go beyond learning a narrowly defined set of strategies; they should expect to have their world views challenged so that they can dig into the philosophic ideas that are a part of their intellectual heritage and learn to engage in the moral and ethical debates that are a vital component of being human.