Gaining a ‘connected view’: John Henry Newman’s integrative habit of mind.
Paul Shrimpton, Magdalen School, Oxford

In his educational classic The Idea of a University (1873) John Henry Newman speaks about gaining a ‘connected view’ of knowledge and a ‘philosophical habit of mind’. While championing ‘enlargement of mind’, Newman warned against the danger of ignoring some types of knowledge and becoming ‘the man of one idea’. His thinking has implications for a world of instant opinions and easy access to a universe of information.

St John Henry Newman (1801–90) was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church by Pope Leo last autumn as well as co-patron of the Church’s educational mission along with St Thomas Aquinas.

Dr Paul Shrimpton has researched and written about Newman’s educational theory and practice for over three decades. His most recent book is ‘The most dangerous man in England’: Newman and the laity. He teaches at Magdalen College School, Oxford.

Enquiries to dpm50@cam.ac.uk