Customer Reviews

Prescribing the Life of the Mind: An Essay on the Purpose of the University, the Aims of Liberal Education, the Competence of Citizens, and the Cultivation of Practical Reason

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I bought this book with the intention of getting a better understanding
of the general philosophy of higher education: the book did not dissapoint me.

This is not however a deep and rigorous philosophical study of higher education, rather it should be seen I think as a quick and terrif way of getting a better overview of the field - what are the major tradeoffs as far as educational ambitions are concerned? - what can and ought universities teach? - who should decide these questions?, etc. etc.

It should also be pointed out that the book is not historical, if you want a better grasp of how things actually evolved and why, Frederick Rudolph's classic is probably where to go.

As for the writing, it is elegant and easily accesible through out the book, which makes it a pleassure to read.

In summary, if you are new to the field of philosophy of higher education , this book will definitely get you off in the right direction.