One-Dimensional Learning: The Dialectic of Sacred and Secular as the Enduring Possibility of the University
Bruce V. Foltz
This article traces origins of university as an interplay between transcendence and immanence, sacred secular, first in ancient Greek philosophy then within Byzantine, Islamic, Latin intellectual worlds. It shows how dialectic is threatened modernity through eclipse public sphere hegemony secular life, leaving no foundation for a unity coherence knowledge that would justify its continued existence. The author demonstrates Newman Whitehead provide clues seeking apertures to re-enter university, do alternative spiritual community, but blueprint university's renewal cannot yet be anticipated. I. Three Moments University Development: Metaphysical Rivalry Transcendence Immanence beginnings can found long before medieval era where rise usually discerned. Its gradual emergence best understood occur two successive moments history, unique Greece, second which this initial moment was itself recapitulated similar ways three different religious traditions: Byzantine world, and, finally, Middle Ages. most critical threat flourishing, it will argued, arrives third moment, asymmetrical with two, has been underway several centuries. Both initiatory exhibit sacred. In first, taking place indigenous, sacred, polytheistic tradition great power beauty, at same time chronic disorder incoherence, gave birth more reflective, order retained, indeed elevated, many central ideas intuitions, while underlying principle unity. essentially (pagan religion) put into form, one nevertheless retained roots might think here Parmenides's mystical journey truth being, Plato' s ascent One, Aristotle's nous participation life Unmoved Mover. All seen largely adaptations themes involving elevation higher realm corresponding illumination. A sought, only expense movement away from particular fragmentary, forms or essences replacing gods goddesses, mediating some higher, ultimate Plato, example, illustrated by his divided line sun analogies Republic, moves images things, things models, models forms, work called the Good, other works One Same. proceeds particulars, relation Many indirect levels removed, remote many-faceted world we inhabit. moments, immanence transcendence, allowed diverse philosophy, these were not universities composed faculties, since basis faculties established. exemplary representatives anticipation then, are Academy Athens, founded Plato operating nearly thousand years, along subsequent philosophical schools important cultural centers such Alexandria. unifying required fully emerge whereby newly comprehensive, overarching established, which, time, drew back everyday: monotheistic worldviews Christianity (The Constantinople, 425), Islam (Qarawiyin Fez, 859, followed al-Azhar Cairo, 969), somewhat later Christendom (with Universities those Bologna, Paris, Oxford shape eleventh twelfth centuries) traced their lineage purely ecclesiastical monastic cathedral established during ninth-century Carolingian Renaissance. …
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