Equality and justice, the two great distinguishing characteristics of democracy, follow inevitably from the conception of men, all men, as rational and spiritual beings.
Robert M. HutchinsRead
There is only one justification for universities, as distinguished from trade schools. They must be centers of criticism.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Universities should promote critical thinking rather than just practical skills.
Robert M. Hutchins argues that the primary purpose of universities is to foster an environment where criticism and inquiry are encouraged. Unlike trade schools that focus on specific vocational training, universities should prioritize intellectual exploration and critical analysis, shaping well-rounded individuals capable of thoughtful engagement with complex ideas.
Themes
UniversitiesCriticismEducationThinkingInquiry
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on the importance of higher education, a speaker might use this quote to highlight the role of universities in fostering critical thought.
More from Robert M. Hutchins
All quotes βEvery act of every man is a moral act, to be tested by moral, and not by economic criteria.
Robert M. HutchinsRead
Education is a kind of continuing dialogue, and a dialogue assumes different points of view.
Robert M. HutchinsRead
A student can win twelve letters at a university without learning how to write one.
Robert M. HutchinsRead
A civilization in which there is not a continuous controversy about important issues is on the way to totalitarianism and death
Robert M. HutchinsRead
America's experiment with government of the people, by the people, and for the people depends not only on constitutional structure and organization but also on the commitment, person to person, that we make to each other.
Robert M. HutchinsRead
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It was never factually true that young people learn to read or do arithmetic primarily by being taught these things. These things are learned, but not really taught at all. Over-teaching interferes with learning, although the few who survive it may well come to imagine it was by an act of teaching.
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Our aim is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his innermost core.
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Even though I am the daughter of a poet, and my stepmother is also a poet, growing up, I didn't think I could understand poetry; I didn't think that it had any relevance to my life, the feelings that I endured on a day-to-day basis, until I was introduced to the right poem.
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One thing we know for sure is that the Web is a collaborative medium unlike any we've ever had before. We see people working together, playing together, interacting in social settings using these media. We hope that will emerge as the new tool for education.
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