What is a university education for? What religion’s role in today’s academy? On Monday, February 4, The Thomistic Institute at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (PFIC), is hosting a symposium which asks just that. “Newman and the University: A Symposium on Religion and University Education,” to be held at the Catholic Center at New York University (Washington Square S. & Thompson St,) will traverse some tricky terrain. Reflecting critically on the life and work of John Henry Newman, the symposium will explore what binds the university as a cultural entity of research and education and the charge of religion in contemporary university life: “In a cosmopolitan culture, is the serious consideration of religion a hindrance to the understanding of social co-existence, or is it a prerequisite?”
The day long event will start off with two lectures, ending with a panel discussion including R. R Reno, editor-in-chief of First Things, John Sexton, President of New York University, and John Garvey, President of the Catholic University of America. The event coincides nicely with George William Rutler’s review of The Genius of John Henry Newman: Selections from his Writings by Ian Ker, due for publication in TNC’s February 2013 issue. Read the full piece here.
For more information on next week’s symposium, click here. For more on the Thomistic Institute and its work, click here.
