বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের দর্শন : চলমান সংকট অনুধাবন ও উত্তরণের উপায় (The Philosophy of the University: Understanding the Current Crisis and Ways to Overcome it.)

Abstract

The University has played an important role since the ancient period in developing intellectually, morally, culturally and socially responsible people. Throughout its long history, many philosophers have contributed to the philosophy of university and a good number of models or theories have been developed. In its long journey, sometimes universities have adapted to changing social, economic and cultural environments and the other times they have played a pivotal role in changing society. The paper shows the reciprocal relationship between society and the university. It discusses the nature of the university and analyzes the theories of some prominent philosophers, such as Wilhelm von Humboldt, John Henry Newman, Karl Jaspers, Clark Kerr and Paulo Freire regarding philosophy of higher education or philosophy of the university. By examining these theories, this paper explains the multidimensionality of the philosophy of university that reveals the nature, scope and goals of the university. This paper demonstrates the crisis of contemporary higher education and, in this regard, pays special attention to the neoliberal philosophy that influences its commercialization. According to neoliberal philosophy, knowledge is a commodity produced by the university, and students are the customers of this commodity. Moreover, this paper briefly discusses the nature of the corporate university and the ecological university. Finally, this paper recommends a balanced curriculum, an active learning process, proper utilization of technology, and the strengthening of academic freedom and moral leadership for the development of higher education.