? The three functions of universities today are teaching, scientific research and social service. Newman does not deny the scientific research function of universities, but he emphasizes that universities should have their own uniqueness. Functionally, it is different from scientific research institutes, because "if the purpose of a university is scientific discovery and philosophical exploration, I can't see why it needs students". Therefore, in Newman's view, "universities are established to teach various subjects to students who want to improve themselves;" The Academy of Sciences aims at conducting new research on scientific development. "Newman's thoughts are inseparable from his own experience of receiving education at Oxford University. The tutorial system and residential system in Oxford University immerse students in the atmosphere of discussion and communication between teachers, students and students, which undoubtedly provides a basic direction for the teaching function dilemma of our universities today. The greatness of a university lies in its extensive knowledge, and the knowledge of a university lies in learning and communication.
? Liberal arts education is also different from gentleman education, or it can be said that liberal arts education is the superior concept of gentleman education. It not only makes people polite, well-behaved, elegant in words and deeds, but also cultivates people's cultivation. In Newman's view, the mind needs to be shaped like the body. At this point, we can compare Locke's educational thoughts in Random Talk on Education. Locke also put forward the concepts of health education, moral education and knowledge and skills education, but Locke thought that their positions were different. Physical education is the foundation and premise, moral education is the first and core, and intellectual education is the second, which plays an auxiliary role.
? Newman's liberal arts education does not mean rejecting professional education, because a person who has been properly and rationally trained will gain "a coherent insight and ability to understand things, which will show his strength by exerting more or less influence on his corresponding special qualities and talents." For most people, it is characterized by sound knowledge, clear thinking, rationality, justice, self-control and stable opinions. "The mind will achieve everything in some way", which can make people easily enter any ideological theme and be competent for any discipline and specialty. Therefore, liberal arts education, as a kind of thinking education, rather than simple knowledge accumulation, has a lasting and far-reaching impact on people's career, life, thought and other aspects.
? So will students feel the power of liberal arts education when they are immersed in a multidisciplinary atmosphere? Presumably, this kind of hidden education is useful, but in today's universities in China, the limits and extent of this role are questionable. This reminds me of the general education in Peking University, where students live in dormitories composed of students from different disciplines. The survey shows that this will really make students integrate into the subject to a certain extent, but it will cause troubles in all aspects of their study to a greater extent. The creation of a pure ideological atmosphere requires a certain amount of water and soil. How to adapt general education to China's water and soil is worthy of further theoretical and practical exploration.
? Newman's learning of knowledge itself, to some extent, is connected with China's idea of "stop at the best" in "University". The way of a university lies in continuous exploration, in not being disturbed by external things, and in focusing on the pursuit of the ultimate truth, which contemporary college students in China lack. Today, with the popularization of higher education, universities are no longer the distribution center for a few elites to pursue truth, but the stepping stone for most people to seek jobs and a better life, thus resulting in the consequences of "small universities". Therefore, how to locate the talent training in higher education and how to treat the relationship between knowledge and occupation is one of the problems worthy of consideration for contemporary universities and college students.
? "What knowledge is the most valuable?" It is a controversial topic in any era. It is hard for me to say what knowledge is most valuable in this ever-changing era, but what is certain is that Newman's knowledge of liberal arts and philosophy is valuable in any era. The knowledge of liberal arts and philosophy embodies "the universal view of truth of all disciplines, the universal view of the relationship between disciplines, the universal view of interdependence between disciplines and the universal view of their respective values". The more knowledge is popularized, the more extensive and lasting its value will be.
? But liberal arts knowledge is just knowledge, which can be attached to anyone and has nothing to do with personal morality. As Newman said, "knowledge is one thing, virtue is another", and liberal arts education is not a sacred guarantee, or even a guarantee of conscience. Obviously, this statement has its limitations of the times. Judging from today's moral education, knowledge, emotion and action are interrelated and progressive, and the dualism of knowledge and action is undoubtedly the separation of the two. However, it also makes us think about contemporary "exquisite egoists" from a realistic perspective. What is the relationship between knowledge and virtue? The improvement of knowledge has not brought about the improvement of morality and personality. What are the reasons?
? A reading book becomes a classic because it can give anyone any thought at any time. The book "The Idea of University" makes me marvel at its strict logic, full argumentation and unique insights, which enables readers to understand and imagine what Newman's ideal university should be like from multiple angles. Newman's university is not perfect, but its return is not only a reflection on today's social practice, but also an inspiration for the development of the future era.