president hutchins proposals to remake higher education.pdf

8/13/2019 President Hutchins Proposals To Remake Higher Education.pdf

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HutchinsHutchins’’ Book OverviewBook OverviewThe Higher Learning in AmericaThe Higher Learning in America, by, by

Robert Maynard HutchinsRobert Maynard Hutchins–– Consists of two parts:Consists of two parts:

Critical discussion of the plight of educationCritical discussion of the plight of education

in this country, with especial reference toin this country, with especial reference to

colleges and universitiescolleges and universities

A plan for the thorough remaking ofA plan for the thorough remaking of

educationeducation

–– Analysis of the meaning of general or liberalAnalysis of the meaning of general or liberal

educationeducation

–– Application of the conclusions reached toApplication of the conclusions reached toreconstruction of education in existing collegesreconstruction of education in existing colleges

and universitiesand universities



DeweyDewey’’s Analysiss AnalysisThree major causes for educationalThree major causes for educational

disorderdisorder1.1. Colleges & Universities are driven byColleges & Universities are driven by

the love of moneythe love of money

-- Ex. Donors, student fees, state legislaturesEx. Donors, student fees, state legislatures

-- Results in the demand of large numbers ofResults in the demand of large numbers of

students, which then results in the needstudents, which then results in the need

for more teachers (most of which arefor more teachers (most of which are

probably underprobably under-- qualified)qualified)



DeweyDewey’’s Analysis Cont.s Analysis Cont.2. Hutchins says that there is a false2. Hutchins says that there is a false

interpretation of democracy.interpretation of democracy.-- Ex. Just because the public believesEx. Just because the public believes

everyone deserves an equal chance ofeveryone deserves an equal chance of

obtaining a higher education does notobtaining a higher education does notmean everyone is worthy of receiving amean everyone is worthy of receiving a

higher educationhigher education

-- Hutchins believes that only after oneHutchins believes that only after one’ ’ ss

sophomore year of college could theysophomore year of college could they

merit an opportunity to receive highermerit an opportunity to receive highereducationeducation



DeweyDewey’’s Analysis Cont.s Analysis Cont.3.3. The erroneous notion of progressThe erroneous notion of progress

-- Hutchins believes that progress isHutchins believes that progress istaken place mainly in material things,taken place mainly in material things,

techniques, information, and datatechniques, information, and data

-- Learning by empiricism (belief inLearning by empiricism (belief in

physical proof) is being pushed asidephysical proof) is being pushed aside



Basically breaks up the Dewey and the Hutchins points ofBasically breaks up the Dewey and the Hutchins points ofview. While Dewey is the Pragmatist or theview. While Dewey is the Pragmatist or the “ “practicepractice” ” ..Hutchins is the Idealist, or theHutchins is the Idealist, or the “ “intellectintellect” ” ..

Hutchins holds that a divorce is needed between thisHutchins holds that a divorce is needed between this “ “practicepractice” ” and theand the “ “intellectintellect” ” ..

Dewey believes in the intellect but it is just another truthDewey believes in the intellect but it is just another truththat is relying on another truth.that is relying on another truth.

IllsIlls--comes from surrender of educational institutions to thecomes from surrender of educational institutions to thesocial pressure. Which leads to the love of money instead ofsocial pressure. Which leads to the love of money instead ofthe love of truths.the love of truths.

Social pressure Surrender causes the mass to conform andSocial pressure Surrender causes the mass to conform and

produce people for the work force.produce people for the work force.Lack ofLack of “ “love for truthlove for truth” ” , more for, more for “ “love of moneylove of money” ”

Donations would halt if the love for truth won this debate.Donations would halt if the love for truth won this debate.



Authority and Truth Authority and Truth--Hutchins continuously appeals to Plato, Aristotle,Hutchins continuously appeals to Plato, Aristotle,and St. Thomas and holds a contempt for theand St. Thomas and holds a contempt for the

sciences at the same time.sciences at the same time.--However, the rise of the sciences has alreadyHowever, the rise of the sciences has alreadycreated a revolution in logic.created a revolution in logic.

--It is illogical to assume that what these ideas didIt is illogical to assume that what these ideas didfor the Greeks to solve their problems would tofor the Greeks to solve their problems would tothe same for our society.the same for our society.

His reform to exclude any curriculum that dealsHis reform to exclude any curriculum that dealswith modernity is not the way to achieve.with modernity is not the way to achieve.

president hutchins proposals to remake higher education.pdf

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