The Idea of a University of John Newman

Cardinal John Newman gives six proposals that are the core of his educational philosophy in his Idea of a University. Newman argues that it should encourage a love for learning because knowledge had an important good in itself. He believed that they had greater good even if they did not have immediate applications and that universities should train people in practical skills and professions for the sake of knowledge (Svalgic). He proposed that Catholic schools should have mandatory courses regarding western civilization. The courses would allow students to be knowledgeable in political science, history, literature, and philosophy. 

Newman argues that material sciences do not make men moral and that knowledge does not make a person moral. He insists that Catholic universities must offer theology courses to its students so that they can see the relationship between religion, theology, and the different sciences. He explained that the study of God is the best science and that the study of God had an effect on the study of other disciplines (Svalgic). Newman states that knowledge is a whole section and that no part can be ignored without negatively affecting the whole. 

Newman insists that students should have basic skills and knowledge about revealed theology. When catholic students were offered knowledge about comparative religions, they were left with little or no knowledge about Christianity and Catholicism. He believed that a true Catholic college should teach its rich Catholic tradition in obedience and respect to the Holy See and bishops (Svalgic). Furthermore, he believed that academic freedom does not justify contradicting the church. He was confident that the knowledge should make an individual obedient to church authority. Newman stated that religious truth was not just a portion but a necessity for general knowledge. If it were blotted out or ignored, university teaching would lose its importance. 

Reference  

Svalgic, M.J. (n.a). The Idea of a University.