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The Idea of a University June 28, 2006

Posted by zartman in Books.
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I’ve not read it, but it sounds like a good idea.

What is so great about this book?

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1. Neoclassical - June 30, 2006

I’m working through this, but I haven’t had a chance to finish it yet, so I’m not sure where the author is going.

He talks about the liberal arts at the university, and how theology cannot be excluded, because it is part of the body of learning. If a university is to be universal in its teaching, then it must include theology, or else, it ceases to be universal.

Newman gives thorough argumentation to defend his position and to show how theology is not merely a sentimental thing.

Good stuff!

Read it, and let’s discuss it!

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2. Joel - June 30, 2006

Well, it must be something if it is already one of your favorite books before you’ve even finished it.

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3. Ryan Martin - July 2, 2006

This is indeed a little embarrassing. With respect to Neo, hopefully we’re a bit more serious than to put down for our “favorite books” ones we have not read.

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4. Joel - July 2, 2006

I’m still waiting for you to say anything about Religions Affections

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5. Ryan Martin - July 3, 2006

I will. I did not realize we were under the gun.

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6. Joel - July 4, 2006

I guess I thought if you suggested it you’d be able to at least say why.

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7. Ryan Martin - July 5, 2006

I will.

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8. lilrabbi - July 12, 2006

lol…um…am I invited?

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9. Joel - July 12, 2006

But yes.

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10. Neoclassical - July 19, 2006

In response to the embarrassed skeptic…

I have not read all of the Summa Theologica, but yet, I would not hesitate to put it on this list. The same could be said of other books.

Newman is comparable to John Owen or Aquinas. He is very thorough about his argumentation, so that it turns out to be very compelling. In fact, his whole book (400 pages) is dedicated to answering only two questions:

Whether it is consistent with the idea of university teaching to exclude theology from a place among the sciences which it embraces [this takes about ¼ of the book].

Whether it is consistent with that idea to make the useful arts and sciences its direct and principal concern, to the neglect of those liberal studies and exercises of mind in which it has heretofore been considered mainly to consist [Discourse II, introductory paragraph].

So, while it is necessary to read some books in their entirety before coming to the conclusion that they are good books, it is only necessary to read a few chapters of others to conclude that they are great works.

I like to side with Father Brown in saying that it would be inconsistent with the character of Newman to have a great first part of the book and a bad last part.

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11. Neoclassical - July 19, 2006

Here’s an illustration:

Men whose life lies in the cultivation of one science, or the exercise of one method of thought, have no more right, though they have often more ambition, to generalize .upon the basis of their own pursuit but beyond its range, than the schoolboy or the ploughman to fudge of a Prime Minister.
[…]
He has the obstinacy of the bigot, whom he scorns, without the bigot’s apology, that he has been taught, as he thinks, his doctrine from heaven. Thus he becomes what is commonly called a man of one idea; which properly means a man of one science, and of the view, partly true, but subordinate, partly false, which is all that can proceed out of anything so partial. hence it is that we have the principles of utility, of combination, of progress, of philanthropy, or, in material sciences, comparative anatomy, phrenology, electricity, exalted into leading ideas, and keys, if not of all knowledge, at least of many things more than belong to them-principles, all of them true to a certain point, yet all degenerating into error and quackery, because they are carried to excess, viz., at the point l where they require interpretation and restraint from other quarters, and because they are employed to do what is simply too much for them, inasmuch as a little science is not deep philosophy.
[…]
But of these conceits Aristotle speaketh seriously and wisely when he saith, “Qui respiciunt ad pauca, de facili pronunciant [They who contemplate a few things have no difficulty in deciding].’ ” [The Idea of a University, 108-109]

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12. Neoclassical - July 21, 2006

For those who have been inspired to read more:

http://www.newmanreader.org/works/idea/

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13. Ryan Martin - July 21, 2006

Nice link. Thanks for that.

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