The Idea of a University Defined and Illustrated: In Nine Discourses Delivered to the Catholics of Dublin — John Shaqi
The Idea of a University Defined and Illustrated: In Nine Discourses Delivered to the Catholics of DublinNewman, John Henry
Religion
The Idea of a University Defined and Illustrated: In Nine Discourses Delivered to the Catholics of Dublin
Newman, John Henry
Education, Higher; Universities and colleges
When the intellect has once been properly trained and formed to have a
connected view or grasp of things, it will display its powers with more or
less effect according to its particular quality and capacity in the
individual. In the case of most men it makes itself felt in the good
sense, sobriety of thought, reasonableness, candour, self-command, and
steadiness of view, which characterize it. In some it will have developed
habits of business, power of influencing others, and sagacity. In others
it will elicit the talent of philosophical speculation, and lead the mind
forward to eminence in this or that intellectual department. In all it
will be a faculty of entering with comparative ease into any subject of
thought, and of taking up with aptitude any science or profession. All
this it will be and will do in a measure, even when the mental formation
be made after a model but partially true; for, as far as effectiveness
goes, even false views of things have more influence and inspire more
respect than no views at all. Men who fancy they see what is not are more
energetic, and make their way better, than those who see nothing; and so
the undoubting infidel, the fanatic, the heresiarch, are able to do much,
while the mere hereditary Christian, who has never realized the truths
which he holds, is unable to do any thing. But, if consistency of view can
add so much strength even to error, what may it not be expected to furnish
to the dignity, the energy, and the influence of Truth!
Some one, however, will perhaps object that I am but advocating that
spurious philosophism, which shows itself in what, for want of a word, I
may call “viewiness,” when I speak so much of the formation, and
consequent grasp, of the intellect. It may be said that the theory of
University Education, which I have been delineating, if acted upon, would
teach youths nothing soundly or thoroughly, and would dismiss them with
nothing better than brilliant general views about all things whatever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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