Thinking with Newman: Educating with Intention Today – Contemporary Relevance of “The Idea of a University”

The first event in the Thinking with Newman series focused on John Henry Newman’s discourse on education and how it plays a role in today’s university. For this series, Rev. Gary Chamberland, C.S.C., and Kevin Whelan, acted as our hosts with special guests, Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Mary Katherine Tillman, and Adam Kronk.

The first question posed in the event was directed to Tillman. She was asked to list a few key points that Newman made about education. She answered by saying Newman believed knowledge is precious, that it helps form the whole self, and that the unity of knowledge formed his philosophy. Unity of knowledge is especially present in liberal art education, where various subjects combine to form the whole mind. Tillman’s introduction to Newman’s views on education advanced the conversation towards topics related to the challenges of education in modern society. Archbishop Martin thought that one challenge of education is that there is not enough emphasis on inquiry. Knowledge is not just facts, he said, but there is an element of wonder that is sometimes lacking in modern education.

As an educator, Kronk believes that educating young people with Newman’s values and philosophy is an uphill battle, especially time and attention have been commoditized by social media, television, and other distractions. Kronk’s educational approach is to cultivate attention and focus, as well as connection with others in the classroom. When the environment is noisy, this practice takes a lot of reminders and intention both from the educators and students.

Fr. Chamberland and Whelan closed the event by focusing on how education should be more than just trying to get into a good college or have a high paying job. Fr. Chamberland asked if the purpose of education is expanding the intellect, then how do you argue that Catholic education is more than training for an occupation? Tillman responded that Newman would argue that education should not be burdened by religion. The byproduct of a good education is becoming a good person. Kronk said that a full perspective on education is not just about getting accepted into an Ivy League school. A solid Catholic education is not just a means to an end, but it can be its own end.

In closing, the experts claimed that education is more than simply memorizing facts and getting a good job. Education is learning to expand the mind. It can be a long process. It does not happen quickly and easily, but slowly and faithfully, in God’s time.

Visit the event page for more.