To be or not to be free, that is the question, the English question, the question of what is academic English at the beginning of the 21st century. So argues Thomas Docherty in this new and important new study, a study that begins with the claim that the fundamental idea governing the institution of the University is a will to freedom. Tracing a history of the modern European University from Vico onwards and including Hume, Rousseau, Schiller, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Newman, Alain, Benda and Jaspers, the author argues the academy's will to freedom is grounded in study of the 'eloquence' that has shaped literate and humane values. He goes on to explore the current condition of English as a literary discipline, arguing that literary studies is (or should be) a search for the unknown; and that in only that search can the academy establish the real meaning -- or meanings -- of social, political and ethical freedom.
| ISBN: | 9781845191337 |
| Publication date: | 2nd January 2008 |
| Author: | Thomas Docherty |
| Publisher: | Liverpool University Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 181 pages |
| Series: | Critical Inventions |
| Genres: |
Literary theory Social and cultural history Teaching of a specific subject |
To be or not to be free, that is the question, the English question, the question of what is academic English at the beginning of the 21st century. So argues Thomas Docherty in this new and important new study, a study that begins with the claim that the fundamental idea governing the institution of the University is a will to freedom. Tracing a history of the modern European University from Vico onwards and including Hume, Rousseau, Schiller, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Newman, Alain, Benda and Jaspers, the author argues the academy's will to freedom is grounded in study of the 'eloquence' that has shaped literate and humane values. He goes on to explore the current condition of English as a literary discipline, arguing that literary studies is (or should be) a search for the unknown; and that in only that search can the academy establish the real meaning -- or meanings -- of social, political and ethical freedom.
The English Question features in the following genres: Literary theory, Social and cultural history, Teaching of a specific subject
The English Question is available in Paperback, Hardback
The English Question was written by Thomas Docherty and published by Liverpool University Press
The English Question has 181 pages
Yes it is part of Critical Inventions series