奥尔特加和赫钦斯大学思想的比较分析——基于对《大学的使命》和《美国高等教育》的解读

A Comparison of the Ideas of a University Held by Ortega and Hutchins Based on the Interpretation of Mission of the University and The Higher Learning in America

对奥尔特加和赫钦斯著作的理解需要突破以往"条块化"的解读方式,尽量忠于原著内容及其论述逻辑。奥尔特加和赫钦斯对大学问题有类似的看法,但对何为大学的使命以及如何达成这种使命的主张有本质不同,前者力图恢复大学的文化活力,通过"文化传授"建立符合时代的"核心思想体系",后者强调大学的理智特征,希望通过"普通教育"构筑共同的知识基础,重建大学的"理性秩序"。二者的大学思想均带有保守主义的倾向,并体现出一定程度的不确定性和不彻底性;对其比较分析将有助于更加准确地把握各自的重心及相互的差异,同时为今日反思大学使命与大学改革等议题提供有益的借鉴。

Ortega Y. Gasset and Robert M. Hutchins share similar views on university in their books Mission of the University and The Higher Learning in America,and yet they have quite different ideas about what the mission of the university is and how to accomplish it. Ortega aims at the restoration of universities' cultural vitality,and the building of contemporary 'core ideas system' through 'transmission of culture'. On the other hand,Hutchins emphasizes the intellectuality of universities,building of common knowledge base through 'general education' and reestablishment of 'rational order' in modern universities. Both Ortega' and Hutchins' ideas of a university show a tendency of conservatism,and to some extent,uncertainty as well as unthoroughness. A comparative study of their views will facilitate understanding of their implications and differences,and provides valuable insights for today's university reform.