Dedication to the Truth

The main thesis of this article is that Newman’s philosophy of education can only be understood within his Christian vision of the nature and vocation of humankind. That vision included a deep appreciation for real dialogue and human encounter at the very heart of education as well as an equally profound understanding of the deep complexity and inter-relation of all areas of knowledge including that of theology among the many subjects taught at university. For Newman, education, like truth, must result in wisdom and positive action as well as more intellectual and theoretical advances. Real education informs the intellect as well as forming the moral heart of the person. We may learn all the knowledge available to us, but we must also be agents of that knowledge by acting morally for the wellbeing of our fellow human beings, that is, in Newman’s language, to be able to marry our doctrine (knowledge) with our devotion to action and prayer (spirituality).