One of the things I have noticed, historically, is that great advances in philosophy and in science and across disciplines have occurred in countries enjoying tremendous economic growth. This goes back to the Greeks of old. As the economy tightens or as the global dominance of an economy weakens on the global stage, so do the institutions of higher learning. I hope that the coopting of our universities by wealthy donors who decide on the direction the institution should take is not a harbinger of what has happened in other nations/countries in institutions of higher learning: that the dominance we have enjoyed for the past 100 years is on the wane and if we stay true to history it is seldom that the same country/nation can regain that spotlight. But as you have said in this post, the solution is not to toss out the baby with the bathwater (well you didn't use those words but it was the message I got); the solution is to strength our institutions in new ways. And not be behind beholden to wealthy donors' ambitions.
One of the things I have noticed, historically, is that great advances in philosophy and in science and across disciplines have occurred in countries enjoying tremendous economic growth. This goes back to the Greeks of old. As the economy tightens or as the global dominance of an economy weakens on the global stage, so do the institutions of higher learning. I hope that the coopting of our universities by wealthy donors who decide on the direction the institution should take is not a harbinger of what has happened in other nations/countries in institutions of higher learning: that the dominance we have enjoyed for the past 100 years is on the wane and if we stay true to history it is seldom that the same country/nation can regain that spotlight. But as you have said in this post, the solution is not to toss out the baby with the bathwater (well you didn't use those words but it was the message I got); the solution is to strength our institutions in new ways. And not be behind beholden to wealthy donors' ambitions.
Interesting thoughts Annette! Thanks for adding that perspective.