Robert M. Hutchins, an American educator, was a prominent advocate for liberal education and university reform. As president of the University of Chicago, he implemented innovative educational programs and promoted the Great Books curriculum. Hutchins's vision for higher education has influenced academic institutions globally.
"A world community can exist only with world communication, which means something more than extensive short-wave facilities scattered; about the globe. It means common understanding, a common tradition, common ideas, and common ideals."
"There is only one justification for universities, as distinguished from trade schools. They must be centers of criticism."
"The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment."
"Education is a kind of continuing dialogue, and a dialogue assumes different points of view."
"It is not so important to be serious as it is to be serious about the important things. The monkey wears an expression of seriousness which would do credit to any college student, but the monkey is serious because he itches."
"The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives."