李剑涵 书评

The book review of The Idea of a University

After finishing reading this book,my passion was ignited by the tremendous writing and huge sense . There is no doubt that John Henry Newman was a brilliant writer.

In this book, Newman reveals a truth that the objects of the university is, on the one hand, intellectual, not moral,and on the other, it is the diffusion and extension of knowledge rather than the advancement. It means that the university education should focused on improving students’ intelligence, enhance their academic ability,, but not limited their imagination by making some political lecture. Universities’ mission in education is to cultivate students’ interests on academy and philosophy, the morality is not included in. You may not agree this opinion, so am I. But when I keep reading forwards, I comprehended that Newman is a religious believer full of responsibility. On the contrary, Newman concerned about the problem of morality in university a lot. In fact Newman was trying to explain that in his opinion, the ideal university is a holy land of academic, he hopes that the knowledge can developed freely without being limited or disturbed by morality.

Besides, Newman believe that only when we broaden our horizon can we improving our mind. Newman went on to elaborate that we will get no true knowledge if we keep staying in a same level. In this case, Newman emphasized the significance of horizon. It makes sense. I agreed that decision making and daily learning depend on our horizons to some degree.

Plus, Newman suggest that university should pursue the common and mighty goal through a common and mighty way. In this way, the university can lead the ideological trend, achieving their goals to improving the atmosphere and consciousness of the society. Thus it can be seen that Newman’s liberally education not only impart knowledge, simplified the way we access to knowledge.

As the old saying goes,Every coin has two sides. In my opinion, though Newmans’ theory is so brilliant that influence the higher education system nowadays. It still has a point which I couldn’t agree. With the industrial revolution developing, the relationships between factory and university is getting closer and closer, the importance of professional knowledge is self evidence. Whats’ more, the position of science research is getting higher and higher. However, Newman persisted that liberal education is better than professional education. Newman look down upon the value of the scientist research, while the competition in society is more fierce than ever.

Newmans’ book The Idea of a University show the think mode of traditional educator. They believe that the liberal education is the highest form of higher education. Though there are some viewpoint which I couldn’t agree, it still lead us to rethink profoundly: are we too anxious to achieve quick success and get instant benefits, or are we ignore the value of traditional education? This book offers us a opportunity to reevaluate ourselves and education.

2020-12-25

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