Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Ahmad Banyasady ¹
• meysam sefidkhos ²
• khosrow bagheri ³
• Mahdi Sajjadi ⁴

¹ Ph.D. Student of Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

² Faculty member of Shahid Behshti University. Tehran, Iran

³ Faculty member of University of Tehran. Tehran, Iran

⁴ Faculty member of Tarbiat Modares University

Abstract

After highlighting the importance of social mission in Humboldtian university idea, this article will inquire about the relation between this mission and human agency. To do this we employ a more deduction philosophical analysis method. Clarifying the meaning of the social mission of the university, which we use here, will be the first step. According to this criterion, in the second step, we will read out the social mission of this idea. The base for this part is more the Fichte and Humboldt's texts. Finding the main elements of human agency and its relation to this idea of the university will be the main step. In this case, results show, without considering the human agency, the expansion of cultivating in society and promoting the ethical culture of a nation, will be not possible. Furthermore, it seems the main phenomenon of the human agency should be considered in the social mission of this idea, as far as we could say they are too interdependent and linked to each other. Refer to some reasons why this idea is still alive and introduce some dimensions of our society, will be present in the last section. 

Highlights

Introduction

 However the Humboldtian idea of the university, investigated from many aspects, but as seems, it has more potential for further studying. One of these attitudes which need to further study is finding the relationship between the social mission of this idea and its anthropological foundations. Here, one of the most important cases of these foundations is human agency. Nevertheless, the connection between these two parts (social mission and human agency in Humboldt' idea) has not been taken into account adequately, then their relationship is not so clear. The importance of this connection, more than anywhere else, could be inspiring for Iranian Higher education, which the anthropological issues, used less for creating a new idea about it. It also must be mentioned that, generally, Humboldt influenced by the Age of Enlightenment and Romantic era, then both the social mission of his university’s idea and mentioned human agency is no exception from this background. 

University Social Mission

 Nowadays many types of research show that the social mission of the university is multi-dimensions. Among the many attempts that try to show what university’s social mission is, Scott (2006) by emphasizing service tries to define this mission. Alongside this, some others, by a point on a public role, believe that the focus of the university's social mission should be on the people, instead of State or Bazar (Simons & Haverhals & Biesta. (2007). By accepting these perspectives, the social mission of Humboldtain Idea is promoting the moral culture of the nation.

Human Agency

The key role and hardcore in Humboldt’s is human agency; freedom and power to choose are essential for this interpretation of the agency. Here whit without believing in agency human, humanity could not reach and access the proper position of humanity.  

Conclusion

 Results shows, without considering the human agency, the expansion of cultivating in society and promoting an ethical culture of the nation, will be not possible. Furthermore, it seems the main phenomenon of the human agency should be considered in the social mission of this idea, as far as we could say they are interdependent and linked to each other.

References

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The Humboldtian Tradition. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004271944

Keywords

• Humboldtian Idea of the university
• Bildung
• social mission of the University
• philosophy of university
• Fichte
• Humboldt