[Daily English Reading] universities and their function

Author: gnuhpc
Source: http://www.cnblogs.com/gnuhpc/

Universities and Their Function
By Alfred North Whitehead

The justification for a university is that it preserves the connection between knowledge and the zest (N. flavor; enthusiastic; strong interest) of life, by uniting the young and the old in the imaginative consideration of learning. the university imparts information, but it imparts it imaginatively. at least, this is the function which it shoshould perform for society. A university which fails in this respect has no reason for existence. this atmosphere of excitement, arising from imaginative consideration, transforms knowledge. A fact is no longer a bare fact: it is invested with all its possibilities. it is no longer a burden on the memory: it is
Energising (supply... Energy) as the poet of our dreams, and as the impact ect of our purposes.

Imagination is not to be divorced from the facts: it is a way of illuminating the facts. it works by drawing the general principles which apply to the facts, as they exist, and then by an intellectual survey of alternative possibilities which are consistent with those principles. it enables men to construct an intellectual vision of a new world, and it preserves the zest of life by the suggestion of satisfying purposes.

Youth is imaginative, and if the imagination be strengthened by discipline this energy of imagination can in great measure be preserved through life. the tragedy of the world is that those who are imaginative have but slight experience, and those who are
Experienced have feeble imaginations. fools act on imagination without knowledge; pedants (N. academic research; nerdy; knowledgeable people; empty talk) Act on knowledge without imagination. the task of a university is to weld together imagination and experience.

The reason why a university exists is that it enables the New and Old generations to learn in full imagination, so that knowledge and life enthusiasm can be connected to each other. A university provides knowledge, but it uses imagination to teach it. At least, this is what it should do for society. If a university cannot do so, there is no reason for existence. People will be excited and excited, so that knowledge can be completely transformed-fact is no longer just a fact, it has all the possibility of replacement. It is no longer a burden of memory, but full of vigor, just like a poet who can depict our dreams and a designer who can fulfill our wishes.

Imagination and facts cannot be separated: the facts become vivid. Imagine that people can obtain general principles that are appropriate to existing facts, and let people rationally examine the various possibilities that are consistent with those principles. Imagine people building a rational vision of a new world, and maintain their passion for life by implying joyful intentions.

Young people are imaginative. If imagination is enhanced through training, this imagination can be greatly maintained in life. The tragedy of the world is that those with imagination have little experience, but those with experience cannot imagine. A dummies without knowledge can do things with imagination, and those without imagination can do things with knowledge. The task of a university is to combine imagination and experience.