Return To Knowledge Itself

In the 19 th century,Britain was in a period of great socio-political and economic transformation.At the same time,it was also an important stage in the modernization of higher education.In the process,the famous contemporary educator John Henry Newman shone in the vast expanse of history for his unique classical stand.Newman's view of knowledge was a product of the wave of utilitarianism and pragmatism set off by British society at the time,which was based on his inheritance of the classical liberal education tradition and the unique religious and university ideas of the Oxford Movement.Therefore,his academic theory is full of rational glory.The reason for choosing Newman's view of knowledge is that China's higher education is currently caught in a vortex of "practical value",which is contrary to the "academic center" values advocated by traditional universities.How to retrieve the university freedom of "knowledge for knowledge" in this crisis is the basic value direction problem faced by China's higher education.Newman's perspective on knowledge foresight will inspire us to do some unique thinking,and thus explore ways to solve problems.Newman foreshadows that the utilitarian view of knowledge will bring a serious crisis to the development of universities and society.He believes that university education should defend tradition,implement freeeducation,cultivate student rationality,expand student minds,and watch the pure land of the "ivory tower".Newman proposed that using knowledge itself as a learning purpose can enable people to have far greater wisdom than ordinary people.Coupled with the university's cultivation of the soul and the protection of virtue,it cultivates perfect people,gentlemen and social citizens.Today,with practical value gradually gaining the upper hand,Newman's view of knowledge can prompt us to overcome the utilitarian "pragmatic" knowledge crisis,cultivate rationality,expand the mind,pursue the truth,guide us away from vulgarity,infinitely close to a more intelligent self,and Plastic university concept.This paper expounds the germination and formation process of Newman's view of knowledge by sorting out the realistic and ideological origins of Newman's view of knowledge,and analyzes Newman's view of knowledge in a comprehensive and meticulous manner from three perspectives: the view of purpose,type and realization.Explore the flow and impact of Newman's view of knowledge,with a view to enlightenment on the current situation of higher education in China.