The Idea of a University by Roger Scruton - Article Example

Teacher Rhetorical Analysis of “The idea of a INTRODUCTION Roger Scruton, a well known English Philosopher and educator specializing in esthetic in the article “The idea of a university” reveals his thoughts why society needs a new type of university using privileges of digital technology. The cornerstone of his belief is not based on technological and conceptual achievements of digital infrastructure of 21st century but on the ideas expressed in the mid 19th century by John Henry Newman, a the then Catholic intellectual and rector of the Catholic University of Ireland. Scruton’s purpose, in this article, is to impress upon the readers that Newman’s ideas implied creation of ideal gentlemen for the society in universities; however, the current educational institutions are far way away from producing ideal gentlemen. That is why; it is essential to create new universities that can implement Newman’s ideas, not necessarily in the physical space. Scruton through didactic tone conveys his readers the idea that existing institutions fail to manage transition from adolescence to adulthood ("The Idea of a University" par. 9): that is why; we need to find a better way where it is worth spending family savings on a four-year course ("The Idea of a University" par. 5). THESIS STATEMENT Roger Scruton, in the article “The idea of a university”, explores a controversial issue about what education is and its place in modern universities. LOGOS, PATHOS, ETHOS Scarton in “The idea of a university” uses definition, cause / effect, and problem / solution as rhetorical modes of writing. He uses Newman’s concept to define the idea of his proposed university as cause and effect to validate his claim, and problem and solution to identify issues and provide the outcome. The structure of the essay is more like a presentation of a judicial case to the juries; in this case the juries are readers. Scruton develops his arguments using claim of value, claim of cause, claim of definition and claim of policy. The claim of value, in this case, Newman’s concept of the idea of the university (logos). The claims of cause and definition describe why the current educational institutions fail to produce Newman’s ideal gentlemen (pathos). Claim of policy suggests building universities in the cyberspace and implementation of Cardinal John Henry Newman’s ideas in these universities (ethos). ANALYSIS All through the essay, Scruton’s uses deductive tone. He opens his claim by informing the readers who Newman was and how he envisioned the principal function of a University, “For Newman a university does not exist simply to convey information or expertise. The University is a society in which the student absorbs the graces and accomplishments of a higher form of life ("The Idea of a University" par. 2).” Scruton uses persuasive strategy, expands Newman’s concept further; he outlines that university generates ideal gentlemen through the pursuit of truth and active discussions ("The Idea of a University" par. 2). It is obvious that readers want to know the meaning of ideal gentlemen since it is the ultimate goal of Newman’s University. According to the author, “The gentleman does not merely know things; he is receptive to the tone, the meaning, the lived reality of what he knows (par. 2)”. Scruton uses rhetorical device exaggeration to explain why university is a place that can produce ideal gentlemen and graceful personality ("The Idea of a University" par. 2).” He explains to the readers that one can learn books at home; however, details of the education is taught in the university. These details later is going to live in these ideal gentlemen: “the color, the tone, the air, the life that makes it live with us, you must catch all these from those in whom it lives already ("The Idea of a University" par. 2)." After elegantly describing principles and objectives of Newman’s University, Scruton turns to his audience and confirms that no one would reject that middle-class parents when it comes to deciding on his or her teenage children’s future would prefer Neman standard university ("The Idea of a University" par. 4). Scruton closes his arguments by explaining what these parents are getting instead of ideal gentlemen after throwing away a third of a million dollars for a four-year education program ("The Idea of a University" par. 5). The author uses pun and irony to construct his deductive arguments and declare that these parents find out that their children are “as ignorant on leaving university as they were on entering it ("The Idea of a University" par. 5).” However, they made good progress from cherishing pop idols at adolescence to rock and heavy metal stars ("The Idea of a University" par 6.) at adulthood. In paragraph six, Scruton continues his emotional appeals in the form of persuasive strategy and explains what these parents expected their children to be when they sent them to universities. In paragraphs, seven through nine he reveals dark sides of the current universities and their educational style, which he summarizes saying that studies at universities designed to teach ideological conformity rather than enhancing intellectual growth ("The Idea of a University" par. 7) of students. He rests his case by offering the solution to the readers in paragraphs ten trough thirteen. In these paragraphs, he uses narrative and descriptive rhetorical modes of writing. He proposes to use the concept of “distance learning ("The Idea of a University" par. 11)” using cyber universities. This proposal can be argued as a revolutionary idea, as well as an antagonistic idea. It requires historical and logical foundations to explain why, what and how. Scruton envisages individualism of American society and development of digital infrastructure as historical and logical foundations to define readers why, what, and how. He refers; “The great virtue of American society is that individual citizens have the scope, the freedom, and the habits of association that enable them to pursue their own objectives, regardless of the established institutions ("The Idea of a University" par. 10).” He envisages, “As the Internet becomes more interactive, the need for universities to establish themselves in physical space, rather than in cyberspace, is less evident ("The Idea of a University" par. 12).” CONCLUSION Rogers Scruton in an interview with Spencer Case from University of Colorado Boulder on the issue “The College fix” addresses the decline of the modern university. He echoes the same opinion expressed in “The idea of a university” that in humanities disciplines ideological conformity has taken over the intellectual growth (Case par. 6). He expands his idea; discussion of justice between man and woman is a philosophical issue, but when it is assumed that one has to get a degree in “Women’s Studies ("The Idea of a University" par. 5)” and be a feminist to arrive at a particular conclusion then it is no more philosophy but ideology ("The Idea of a University" par. 8). According to Scruton, it is called teaching ideology, not philosophy (Case par. 8). Scruton concludes that new disciplines that colleges and universities are including now a day do not teach methods for finding the answer to the truth but teaches adherence to a particular conclusion (Case par. 10). Rogers Scruton in the article “The idea of a university” and the interview “College fix” explores what has happened, why it is wrong and offers solutions. His solution is no less controversial than the issue. It is true that the fundamental responsibility of educational institutions is to pass knowledge from one generation to other. However, only time can tell us if cyber universities could fulfill Newman’s ideas, which Scruton uses as the foundation of the education system. Works Cited Case, Spencer. "COLLEGE FIX Q&A: Roger Scruton on the Decline of the Modern University." The College Fic, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. < http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/16703/> "The Idea of a University." spectator.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2015 . Read More