%A David PICKUS %T For the Future of Chinese Universities: Three Conversations from the Past %0 Journal Article %D 2016 %J Front. Educ. China %J Frontiers of Education in China %@ 1673-341X %R 10. 3868/s110-005-016-0002-4 %P 23-43 %V 11 %N 1 %U {https://journal.hep.com.cn/fed/EN/10. 3868/s110-005-016-0002-4 %8 2016-03-15 %X

This article argues that ideas from the ancient past supply insight about the future of Chinese universities. I make this case by outlining three claims about the nature and purpose of education in Homer, Plato, and Augustine. I propose that conversations based on these ideas illuminate central underlying problems facing Chinese higher education today: Educating the next generation to be properly assertive and make complex judgments, and helping faculty see their own motives and impact clearly. To show this, I explain why discussions of ancient Western authors are useful for the present moment, explaining what vistas these texts open. I conclude by clarifying how the exercise can help China achieve its educational goals.