博克的学术自由与大学自治观

Derek Bok on Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy

博克认为 ,学术自由与大学自治是大学的精神 ,但是 ,其内涵随着时代的更迭而演变。如今 ,博克的这一观点在现实中面临着诸多困境 ,其中 ,大学自治与政府约束的冲突 ,以及大学维护学术自由与承担社会服务之间的矛盾尤为明显。大学难以回避现实 ,不得不寻找新的平衡点。

Western universities have the tradition of keeping a self governed space for the maintaining of the freedom of research and teaching. The university has been called an 'Ivory tower'. But it seems that there is a trend 'beyond the ivory tower' because more and more contacts were built between university and society since World War Two. How can university maintain its academic freedom and institutional autonomy while making an active reflection of the social problems in this situation? They are not only the focus of attention in the theory of higher education, but also a difficult problem in the running of university. This article tries to analyze the opinions of Derek Bok, a famous scholar in higher education and the former president of Harvard University. Academic freedom and institutional autonomy is the spirit of the university. In the view of Derek Bok, academic freedom relates closely to free press. It is not only a reflection of free press, but also a necessary precondition for the benefits of universities and scholars. E. Ashby, Paul Moroe, T. Husen, John Brubeck, and other scholars' ideas are also presented here. As for some new problems in the modern time, Derek Bok pointed out that it was not realistic if we deny them. The age of the ivory tower has left us forever, but the university cannot evade its social and moral responsibilities. For the sake of the public, the government may make some suitable restrictions to universities. In that case, the inconsistencies between the restriction of the government and institutional autonomy will arise. The restriction should not hurt the freedom of academic freedom, or it will violate the benefits of the public. In the eyes of Derek Bok, contradictions between academic freedom and social responsibilities are also more and more obviously. On the one hand, the university cannot escape the reality and has to serve the society; on the other hand, it should retain the traditional academic freedom and institutional autonomy. It has to find a new balance.