Friday Conversations: What is a University for?

In some ways the modern research university is more successful than ever. Universities enjoy great prestige, are the recipients of many of the largest charitable donations in history, and--in the words of one historian--"have established a near monopoly on access to prestigious and lucrative careers."

Easily forgotten, however, is that the founders of the modern university actually aspired to much more. In almost every case, the founders of our modern universities believed that science would contribute to moral and even religious knowledge and consensus. That project has clearly been abandoned. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The project was almost certainly naive to begin with.

The change of course, however, does raise questions. If science can not objectively answer questions of morality and religion, does it follow that questions of morality and religion are merely subjective? Should universities concern themselves with building character and making good citizens, or simply with providing professional training? Is there more to your college education than increasing your earning potential? Simply put, What's the university for?

Come join us for a short presentation, a discussion, and some pizza.