What is the fundamental purpose of a university education in a modern, secularizing society? John Henry Newman, a prominent 19th-century theologian and educator, argues that the university should be a place for the cultivation of the intellect for its own sake rather than merely for professional or vocational training. He posits that a liberal education, grounded in the synthesis of theology and secular knowledge, is essential for the development of a well-rounded human character.

Scholars and educators frequently cite this work as a foundational text in the philosophy of higher education. Readers often note the dense, formal prose style characteristic of 19th-century academic writing.