The Position of Science at Oxford

Abstract

YOUR correspondent “W. E. P.” shows a curious ability for injuring his own side. He says that “Oxford collectively has done her best to remove any inferiority she may have had in the past” in respect of her scientific school, and further, “it would be difficult to name a body better qualified to decide what is a good general education than Convocation itself.” And yet the whole tone of his letter is a practical confession that Oxford has failed in her best attempt, and that her view of general education has resulted in a practical failure to forward an essential branch of general education. The fact is Oxford's best is bad, and her ideal education is one-sided. The most serious cause of complaint of modern society against the old universities is that they have so controlled the education of the wealthy classes of the community that the landed and professional classes have been educated apart from the commercial and industrial classes to the very great injury of both. One might as well consult a committee of clergy as to the best education for a doctor, as advise with university dons as to the best education for the general community. The influence of a Pagan civilisation has created in them an ideal of life founded on contemplative learning, rather than on a Christian benevolent activity.