The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education (2024)

Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, S., & Barnett, R. (2020). The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. In Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education (pp. 1-22). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1467

Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, Søren ; Barnett, Ronald. / The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press, 2020. pp. 1-22

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title = "The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education",

abstract = "The research field of the philosophy of higher education is young, having emerged within the last half-century. However, at this stage four strands, or pillars, of thought may be de­ tected in the core literature, around which the discussions and theorizing efforts cluster. The four pillars are (a) knowledge, (b) truth, (c) critical thinking, and (d) culture. The first pillar, “knowledge,” is concerned with the meaning of academic knowledge as forming a link between the knower and the surrounding world, thus not separating but connecting them. Under the second pillar, “truth,” are inquiries into the epistemic obligations and possibilities to seek and tell the truth universities and academics have in a “post-truth” world. The third pillar, “critical thinking,” addresses the matter as to what understand­ ings of being critical are appropriate to higher education, not least against a background of heightening state interventions and self-interest on the part of students, especially in marketized systems of higher education. The fourth pillar, that of “culture,” is interested in the possibility and ability for academics and universities to intersect and contribute to public debates, events, and initiatives on mediating and solving conflicts between value and belief systems in culturally complex societies. When seen together, the four pillars of the research field constitute the philosophy of higher education resting on four founda­ tional strands of an epistemic, communal, ethical, and cultural heritage and future.",

keywords = "Higher education, Philosophy of education, Educational philosophy, Philosophy of higher education, Knowledge, Truth, Critical thinking, Culture, Higher education, Philosophy of higher education, Educational philosophy, Four pillars, Knowledge, Truth, Critical thinking, Culture",

author = "{Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen}, S{\o}ren and Ronald Barnett",

note = "Part of Oxford Research Encyclopedias",

year = "2020",

doi = "10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1467",

language = "English",

pages = "1--22",

booktitle = "Oxford Research Encyclopedias",

publisher = "Oxford University Press",

}

Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, S & Barnett, R 2020, The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. in Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press, pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1467

The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. / Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, Søren; Barnett, Ronald.
Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press, 2020. p. 1-22.

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/proceeding › Encyclopedia entry › Research › peer-review

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Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen S, Barnett R. The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. In Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press. 2020. p. 1-22 doi: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1467