The medieval university, rich in Christian tradition, differs greatly from the free-minded modern university. But what caused this monumental shift in the first place? The answer to this question is rooted in the expansion of academic freedom. Medieval universities, controlled by clergy, ran universities like a religious institution. It was only with the decline of papal power that universities began to embrace academic freedom. The shift can be further understood in three acts, the era Church influence on medieval universities, the formation of a rift between academia and the Church, and a look at the importance of academic freedom in university life.
A deep respect for Christian traditions, in both student life and academics, permeated medieval …show more content…
Two sources, one from the University of Chicago and the other from Harvard University corroborate this statement. Julie A. Reuben from the University of Chicago argues that “educator’s commitment to scientific technique” (The Making of the Modern University, 1996) led to the disappearance of much religious influence. The rise of scientific thought, both during the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution, led to a flood of new information that could be studied. Much of this information clashed with Church doctrine. For example, the rise of Darwinian evolution over Biblical creationism led many to doubt the certainty of Church teachings. Suddenly, a rift formed between Academia and the Church. No longer could religious teaching go untouched by the hands of criticism. Reuben continues, “university reformers tried to modernize religion to make it compatible with their conception of science...these efforts failed.” (The Making of the Modern University, 1996) This failure rested on the laurels of close-minded Church officials, whose disagreement with academia only accelerated the development of the rift. Derek Curtis from Harvard University brings in another argument regarding the decline of Church influence in modern universities. Curtis argues that the fact that, “businessmen and financiers...replaced the clergy as dominant figures on the boards of leading universities,” (Beyond the Ivory Tower, 2009) led to a decreased influence of religion on universities. This trend initiated after Papacy began to lose the trust of the people. The “Babylonian Captivity”, the rise of nationalism, and the support for greater economic freedom on the part of the middle class all led to this loss of trust and influence. The cities in which universities were based became economically powerful. The bishops and clergy were no longer the
A deep respect for Christian traditions, in both student life and academics, permeated medieval …show more content…
Two sources, one from the University of Chicago and the other from Harvard University corroborate this statement. Julie A. Reuben from the University of Chicago argues that “educator’s commitment to scientific technique” (The Making of the Modern University, 1996) led to the disappearance of much religious influence. The rise of scientific thought, both during the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution, led to a flood of new information that could be studied. Much of this information clashed with Church doctrine. For example, the rise of Darwinian evolution over Biblical creationism led many to doubt the certainty of Church teachings. Suddenly, a rift formed between Academia and the Church. No longer could religious teaching go untouched by the hands of criticism. Reuben continues, “university reformers tried to modernize religion to make it compatible with their conception of science...these efforts failed.” (The Making of the Modern University, 1996) This failure rested on the laurels of close-minded Church officials, whose disagreement with academia only accelerated the development of the rift. Derek Curtis from Harvard University brings in another argument regarding the decline of Church influence in modern universities. Curtis argues that the fact that, “businessmen and financiers...replaced the clergy as dominant figures on the boards of leading universities,” (Beyond the Ivory Tower, 2009) led to a decreased influence of religion on universities. This trend initiated after Papacy began to lose the trust of the people. The “Babylonian Captivity”, the rise of nationalism, and the support for greater economic freedom on the part of the middle class all led to this loss of trust and influence. The cities in which universities were based became economically powerful. The bishops and clergy were no longer the