University:Metaphysical Sphere and Pragmatic Approach

    Abstract: Instrumentalism and utilitarianism upon education, in the wake of modernity, have simply reduced university to a place where pragmatic knowledge is passed on, which means that university has gradually lost the metaphysical characteristic. In terms of the vicissitudes of university and the implication of human life, education serves as spiritual practice, and university would rather be monasteries not secluded from the world. What is distinctive for university, as “monasteries”, is that it connects metaphysical elements with pragmatic ones. The principle of teaching, reflecting the metaphysical peculiarity of universities, should be reiterated and practiced with great respect in this day and age.

    Key words: inner value of knowledge; spiritual practice; principle of teaching