Reprinted from ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN Caine BULLETIN, Vol. XXVII, Number 3, October, 1941, pages 519-523. A STATEMENT ON THE PLACE OF PHILOSOPHY IN HIGHER EDUCATION* HE Southwestern Philosophical Conference, a professional so- ciety whose membership is drawn from the departments of phi- losophy in the principal universities and colleges of the South- western states, has completed a canvass of the courses of study in liberal arts colleges in six of these states. The Conference takes notice of certain tendencies affecting Philosophy and the liberal arts curriculum as a whole, tendencies which we believe to be detrimental to higher education and to which we respectfully invite the attention of the educational authorities of this territory. First, there is a neglect of philosophic studies in a great many of the colleges and in some universities. Studies which, though having a value, can by no means fulfill the role of Philosophy, have more and more displaced Philosophy. We recognize the worth of vocational and apprenticeship studies, in their proper place, and the reasonableness of devoting some educational time to affairs of the present moment; yet all of these subjects are apt to be rapidly magnified and to occupy presently a disproportionate place in the curriculum. The liberal arts curriculum, we believe, is the principal conservator of our intellectual heritage. It re- quires careful safeguarding against any tendency that would introduce ephemeral, meretricious or merely popular substitutes for the studies which long experience has shown to be the most effective for preserving, diffusing and advancing our knowledge. Reconsideration of the educational policies responsible for the changes which have occurred in the curriculum, especially the changes which diminished Philosophy to its present position, is, in our opinion, a serious need. Secondly, there is a lack of integration of philosophic studies with either humanities or sciences. Philosophy and Literature, *A Statement prepared by a Committee of the SOUTHWESTERN PHILOSOPHICAL CONFERENCE, and approved by the Conference mem- bership. Professor W. B. Mahan of the University of Arkansas is Presi- dent of the Conference. The Committee members were Professor Virgil C. Aldrich, The Rice Institute; Professor Peter A. Carmichael, Louisiana State University; Br-Anna McCracken, University of Kansas; Professor E. T. Mitchell, University of Texas; Professor I. K. Stephens, Southern Methodist University. 519 520 Association of American Colleges Bulletin Philosophy and History, Philosophy and Science, are mutually illuminating. The well trained student of Philosophy is likely to include in his course a large body of subject matter outside of Philosophy proper. It is a grave error to assume, as is so freely done today, that youths can gain education by concentrating in one or two things (including some that contain little educative substance) and adding at random such tidbits from other fields as may suit their fancy. The neglect of such essentials as Logie, Ethics and the History of Thought, and the failure to employ them at the foundations of the study of Literature, History and Science, and in the determination of the criteria and aims of these, will almost certainly be followed by intellectual confusion and shallowness. If we desire to educate youth to think clearly and resourcefully and to act justly, we should not omit from their curriculum the learning which is probably more apt than any other to accomplish those ends. Facts alone are not enough; trained reasoning and cultivated powers of analysis and appraisal are essential. By way of example, we cite the usefulness of Logic and Ethics in a connection which has recently given educators noteworthy concern, namely, the endeavor to inculcate a critical attitude toward political propaganda. It is doubtful that any study equips a person to analyze arguments, detect fallacies and see implications with anything like the effectiveness of a well- directed study of Logic.. Nor does any academic branch equal Ethics, when studiously pursued, as a means to just and intelli- gent decisions in matters of conduct. Ideas and actions are likely to be confused and perilous if they are not informed by the knowl- edge which critical inquiry, notably Logic and Hthics, alone imparts. 7 In the third place, a number of studies now conspicuous in the curriculum include considerable matter borrowed from Philoso- phy. While this is in principle sound, if not indeed necessary, it may also be harmful practically. Unless the student has been prepared through appropriate philosophic study, and unless those who teach the subjects containing these philosophic borrowings are themselves well trained in Philosophy, the pedagogical result is likely to be negative. We find (and are informed that a like condition is found in regions other than the Southwest) not only that the students of these composite subjects are very often with- Philosophy in Higher Education 521 out the requisite preparation in Philosophy but that the teachers themselves frequently lack such preparation. If Philosophy is worth teaching, it should be worth teaching well. Although, fourthly, much favorable interest in Philosophy has been shown by academic officers in our region, in the course of our inquiries, we find some misapprehension of its nature and educational function. We have reason to believe that this atti- tude is due to a lack of acquaintance with the philosophic fields and the place they occupy in relation to other domains of learn- - ing. The introduction of philosophic study, on a proper scale and under the charge of well qualified teachers, would soon dispel the errors on which this misapprehension rests. An opinion that Philosophy is a luxury is also evident here and there ; likewise the opinion that it is limited in application, hence not ‘‘practical.’’ Such opinions, we must presume, are due to an inadequate acquaintance. The indispensability of Logic to Sci- entific Method, to Mathematics, to Law and to all thorough rea- soning; of Metaphysics to the understanding of scientific, legal, moral and other principles; of the History of Philosophy to the understanding of literature and culture; and of Ethics to the intelligent comprehension of life and destiny are more than enough to show the utility of Philosophy. On the other hand, the true utility of much else now in the college and university curriculum is open to serious question. A persistent criticism of higher education in our time runs, that in emphasizing the acquisition of information it has failed to cul- tivate the powers of reflection; and a great many discerning per- sons still believe that the aim of education is to make a person think. Certainly this is one of its aims. What collegiate studies are the most apt for making a person think? We venture to say, from our own observation and from the comments of others, that no study surpasses Philosophy as a stimulus to thought. But whereas, from this, we should conclude that Philosophy is a requi- site of all liberal higher education, we nevertheless find it omitted most of the time. We are well aware that some students evince little interest in this study, and that their schedules are such that if they do not spontaneously incline to Philosophy, they need not, usually, make any acquaintance with it at all. Something is radically wrong when a student’s college course does not bring 522 Association of American Colleges Bulletin him in touch with the thinking discipline par excellence; wrong with the student or with the curriculum or with the instruction in Philosophy. (Our data show that of the students enrolled in Economics, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology, in 25 Southwestern colleges and universities dur- ing the 1940-1941 session, about twice as many are in Sociology as are in Philosophy, three times as many in Psychology and nearly four times as many in each of Economics, History and Political Science. ) To the complaint that the curriculum is now so crowded that room is not available for more Philosophy, or perhaps for any at all, we respectfully answer, and urge, that the importance of those studies which Philosophy comprises is so great that a well con- ceived liberal arts curriculum cannot afford to omit them, nor can it afford to relegate them to a minor place. Some of the typical curriculum is undoubtedly padding: subject matter so light that it could profitably be condensed to a fraction of its present ex- tent; duplicated matter, both within a field and in fields apart; matter of doubtful worth and fitness for the curriculum of quali- fied college students. If this slack in the curriculum were taken up, no longer would Philosophy have to be left out, or be sub- ordinated, as now, for want of room. . Our inquiries brought replies from presidents, deans, depart- ment heads and professors expressing deep indebtedness to Phi- losophy in their own education, and serious concern as to its present status in the curriculum. Even so, many of these edu- cators are either excluding Philosophy from their own students or restricting it to a very few. State and local superintendents of education, to whom we also addressed inquiries, were unani- mous in the opinion that Philosophy is a valuable asset to any high school teacher and that the lack of it among the teachers at present is deplorable. Yet we know that very few, if any, of our teachers’ colleges give training in the subject, and that teachers’ colleges elsewhere, when they do teach Philosophy, seldom engage persons having proper philosophic preparation to teach it. We think it appropriate to observe, finally, at a time when education is more criticized than perhaps ever before, that the educator’s task is not merely, nor even primarily, to train for a trade. Even less is it his proper task to put youths indifferently Philosophy in Higher Education 523 through a mill in order for them to obtain a superficial title to favored employment. The well-educated man or woman, whether fortunate or unfortunate in the occupation he or she follows, is never without intellectual and spiritual resource; and a good test of the quality of the education we are giving will be found in the reaction of our pupils to adversity. On this test, a considerable portion of higher education in recent years is a lamentable failure. We note that many who draw books from public libraries and who have suffered in the depression, have been turning to Phi- losophy in their choice of readings. Those who had charge of higher education would have served the needs of all such persons better if, when laying out the program of their studies, they had given them more opportunity to acquire Philosophy. We also observe that compilations of the great books of the world, such as are placed before the educated public from time to time by critics, scholars and men of affairs, invariably contain a quite large percentage of works on Philosophy. The ratio of Philoso- phy to other subjects in these listings is approximately the inverse of the ratio of Philosophy to related subjects in the curricula of the Southwest. We believe this indicates a false direction on the part of our educational program and a need of prompt and vigorous corrective measures. The Southwestern Philosophical Conference is prepared to sup- ply information and counsel to institutions that may desire (1) to introduce courses in Philosophy where none exist; (2) to re- consider the position of Philosophy in relation to other subjects in the curriculum; (3) to strengthen existing Philosophy pro- grams, either through reconsideration of their content or by giving assistance in finding the best available personnel for con- ducting instruction in Philosophy. December 16, 1941. Mr, Clarence MeGuire, 647 West 58th St. Terrace, Kansas City, Mos Dear Mac: Your letter of December llth was received during my absence, but I note that Mr. Parl Falkenstien has taken edre of your request. I was out at Dodge City last Thursday and Friday for their amual basketball clinic, and returned to Lawrence late Saturdays I am sure thet Ur. Palkenstien will do the ‘very best he can for you in the way of tickets. The de- ee ee ea seats available... T om glad your log is better. Hope to seo you when you cone for the Olle oy homa Games Eee With best wishes, I em Cordially yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCA: AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. would prefer those to something farther back the audi- tovium Or een See See se SS eee . inte pairs 14 give us a better opportuni plac- ing you in more locations. 7 { GLF:Iv 647 WEST 5874 STREET TERRACE KANSAS CITY,MISSOURI December ll, 1941 Dr. Forest C. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Friend Doc, Will you be kind enough to reserve for me, six geod tickets for the University of Oklahoma basketball game to be held there on January 6th? If you will kindly leave them at the box office, I will pick them up the evening of the game, when I come up. Yes, you did a marvelous job on that leg, because I hunted for three days without any ill effects. After I got through playing handball the other night I had the "rubber-upper" at the Y.M.C.A. give mé an alcohol rub, and we were talking about you.e Hg, said, "Boy, if I only knew what that fellow knows." With best regards, Doc, and thanks again. Cordially yours, . CM:MC = December 17, 1941. Miss Marie MeMorrow, 620 East Drive, Oklahoma City, Okla. Dear Miss McMorrow: I am very happy to enclose several copies of our basketball schedule for this season. I trust that you will find it possible to seo several of our games. With best wishes, I an Very sincerely yours, oF 2 Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCA: AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. MARIE McMORROW 828 EAST DRIVE OKLAHOMA CITY April 9, 1942. Confirming wy conversation of this morning I an writing you some data which I think will make very interesting reading in re- gard to the N.C.AA. basketball tournament and the way the N.C.AcA. — handles their finances. I am also enclosing some tear sheets from the Hational Collegiate Athletic Association booklet in which they give the proceedings of the 36th Ammal Convention held at Detroit, Michigan, on December 28-31, 1941. I would send you the entire book but it would have to go second class, and I am interested in having 4 you get this at the earliest possible moment. ! You will notice on page 154, Appendix III, Finencial Reports of Tournaments and Treasurer's Report. Under this large caption is the financial report of the 1941 basketball play-offs and final geme, both the Hastern and Western and the Final play-off. After listing all expenses there is « swmary on page 156, and the net receipts are listed as (9,045.92. Then under distribution of net receipts as above ($9045.92). the N.C.AA. takes 10% of that amount whieh gives them $904.40, leeving « balance of $6,159.52. Now, 2a they divide this amount. Fifty per cent of this $9239.52 goes to the H.C.Acd. That gives the N.C.AA. a total of $4974.16 from the net . proweeds, but to the teams were allocated either 2/18 or 3/18. All of these teams, you will notice, with the exeeption of Wisconsin and Washington State, got 2/18 because they played in two games; while Wisconsin and Washington played in the finals which made three games for then. This year in the ‘estern play-off Kansas, Rice and Colo- rado played tw genes, and in the Eastern play-off Illinois, Penn State and Kentucky played two. ‘two games a piece for these six teans made twelve games, and three games a piece for Stanford and Dartmouth made six gees. That makes a totel of 18 gemes. ‘Therefore, the teans that went to the finals get 3/18 of this 50% of the melon after it had had 10% sliced from it. ‘thile the N.C.A.A. derived $4074.16, the team that went on to win the 1.C.A.A. title, like Wisconsin last year, af 3 ¢. 8 AEE Dn, SEL EEE Pee FE . Sidr N MEER 30 pte ieee Tea) AP Moliouagcaratupnuty RRR asnnseenmeciat: ne 4 CATR? RS NEARS ENTE rea NR : ETD ae Ate: Pe ah | Rib a) wilttlad | bil die sae ra fal 3 Hl i ibe Ur ead fh at ae a eat eT | al i Hit tl Hoh iP He iN ii 5 83 . 3oy A rs : alte i] ii yh fete! He ae | ib ft ai Hs at Bt fi ale es a i at te 34 3 a"88 $333 ional fle ft iH a Me Hy 0 ii sie wae i ay 8 ii . 2.8 Bas i fl Me ity ang lth li ; if 7 a; e® : , 4, rr guts i i a ate iy ae Wee oi aes le ie HE TH es nt i ni ah a bed ce i ee i PH | oo Bb ri th at i IH ath ila iil se es ts a atiE ppd, git FE Heil , rie Hk i He i i tai 88% 3 . Riv. 2 Hip il 8 Ne his ij Te a2 it a ely tt i + tiie | i ee i Lil lett hi ili 3 is; q ny 3 oid sep elt biagees a a N if i at i Ne Ht it i iti if i “ae 4 a it “oda fl ‘ih ‘y fall “3933 ote iF ats | Palin HW ii tN ou iH Hi j: airs en ace sca Bee ee because Adolph Rupp is not well physioally. I*ll bet you a pretty ee eee | knell for future tournaments. At the time the boys were in Kansas City they were allowed but $5.00 per day for their expenses, and that included — taxicabs, hotel, shows, meals, and what have you. It is a lot aifferent when the beys go to the Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl gene where there is entertainment and places to be entertained. out But I will stay out of that. I just wanted you to get this angle, I think it is a hot one. when you have finished with the enclosed tear sheets return them at your convenience for my files. - Sineerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCAsA 7 Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. December 29, 1941. Mire Dan MeGuire, Berkeley Daily Gazette, Berkeley, California. Dear Mr. ieGuire: | Dre Prank Yerron Smith, of 2816 Heligass St., Berkeley, California, enclosed a olipping from your colum in the Berkeley Pally Gazette as of December 13 and eleo your Docenber 16th con- tribution. I was rather interested to learn that it is your thought that hardly oa day goes by without the suggestion of some change er other in basketball, and also that 1% was your conception that — ruined football as a major sport at the University of ° | The fact that I played football and later conghed it at the University of Xansas when we tied Nebraska 20-20 in 1920 is rather interesting and emasing to me. On the Yonday morning following this game in 1920 the students subsoribed $160,000 to build the stadium that cost $660,000. I had charge of the drive, and for 18 years Iwas director of athletics here at the University of Kansas. I have coached besketball here for 25 years, and only in the last four years have I ever received any compensation for my coaching. You being from Missouri doubtless are not interested in Kansas background. 1 have always had the notion that « conch was rightfully a member of the faculty and his eins end purposes regard- ing the welfare of the young men who are students,;in the college or university should parallel that of other members of the faculty. I em always happy to think of euch young men as Dean John Bunn, of Stenford University, former basketball coach at Stanford, who was one of my quarterbecke bask in 1920 and who played in the Kansas-Nebraska geme that day. Coach Arthur “Dutch” Lonborg, of Northwestern University, was the other quarterback of the football team in the samo game in which John Bunn participated. Bunn was an engineer and Lonborg was a lawyer. Neither of them followed their training in the University so far as technical instruction was concerned, but both men took their places in leadership, and after all, in my opinion, that is the function of the University - to teach students to find sources and to develop leadership. Since I believe in the freedom of the press I have no- criticism at all of what you say, and I had hoped that you had the ¢ I had the pleasure of speaking at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the Teachers College there on last Novesber 26. Abe Steuber, | one of Missouri's football, basketball and track greats, is coaching ian tun cao i am sending you a copy of the address have their sway, then athletics cosse to be « benefit and become altogether something else. rae the feet that I was born in Jamesport, Missour4, in Davis County, way bask when, makes me feel that one Missourian can say to another Missourien thet the postwan would never get his mail ee With ell good wishes, I ox Sincerely yours, Director of Pinsical Sducation and Recreation, PCAsAN Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. — Jenuary 3, 1942. ; ganes early enough so that we could use it for someone else. There is such a dearth of seats that we do not have enough tickets to go around, and when we find that someone is not going to attend get hold of that ticket. I am sorry that I did not get to see you to tell you goodby last Wednesday noon. However, I trust that you have entirely re- covered from your cold and that you are feeling your old good self again. Give my kindest regards to the family and tell them that I aa anticipating seeing them Tuesday night. With all geod wishes, I am Very sincerely yours, Direotor of Physical Education and Reoreation,. FCA:AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coech. . January 12, 1942, Mr. Bert MoGrane, Sports Desk, — The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Towa. Sth. Lester Suhler, our alumi president at Des Moines, sent me the clipping. Also, I had breakfast with Bill Williaas at the Harvey House in Kensas City on my way home from Ames, end he mentioned your colum. a So here's thanks a thousand for those mice words. But best of all, it is the friendship beck of the Uning that I appreciate even more than the words. Sith Kioto’ tagaeds te Brae Setvens and your good family, T em Sincerely yours, — Director of Physical Education and Recreation, PCA:AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. January 22, 1942. Miss Jean McFarland, w/e McFarland Rexall Prug Store, opeka, Kansas. Dear Jean: . We have your ticket here for the Kansas State geme Saturday. Is anyone else coming down with you? We will leave your ticket at the ticket window in Hoch Auditorium, where you may call for it, and if some of your femily are accompanying you we want to have the tickets together. Will you kindly let me know? Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCA: AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. January 27, 1942. Miss Jean McFarland, o/o VeParland Rexall Drug Store, Topeke, Kansase Dear Jean: I am sending you a copy of the letter I sent to the convocation committee following the convocation really of January G. I thought you might be interested in the whole story. . Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. February 5, 1942. Miss Jean McFarland, c/o NoFarland "Rexall" Drug Store, Topeka, — hark you fer your pouteard. Ire Palkenstien hes etd aside the four tickets for the Iowm State cam, so everything is taken care of to the best of ow ability. We are leaving at 1 o'clock today for Kansas : Say Sane Se ny ee, ey tee See We shall look forward to seeing you the 16th. Yery simerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, ' Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. BUY DEFENSE SAVIN! >} Sea BONDS No STAMP 3} DE OF CARDTS"FUR ADDRESS J Dre Fe Gea Allén Athletic Office Lawrence, Kanse Dear Dre I want to thank you for sending me a eoPy of the "convocation letter", £-did enjoy so much. I hate to bother you*tfpain but a you remember to get the four tickets for the Iowa State game? ,. I hope Mrs. Allen is feeling better again and I will see you all at the next game, Thanks again for seeing about the tickets. Love Jean Pebruary 21, 1942, Miss Jean McFarland, : c/o MeFarland Rexall Drug Store, Topeka, Kansas. ‘Dear Jean: | I am enclosing your ticket to the Missouri game here on March 6th so that you will not need to bother calling for it. Hope to see you then. Ne are leuving Tussiey night for ow Oklahoma invasions Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Iducation and Recreation, PCA: AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. See Blears rr Sos Sea 647 WEST 5874 STREET TERRACE KANSAS CITY,MISSOURI March 7, 1942 Dr. Forest C. Allen University Of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Doc: It must have been inspiring to see so many people who wished you so well. Even those, Doc, who are in bitter disagreement with you have to admit that you are solid gold. There is one thing, My Friend, that I would council you about. Remember, you are not as young as you may feel at times. I found just the other day that I could no longer play three or four games of hard singles at hand ball. I've had to cut it down to one or two games of singles because the old zip won't be there the next day. Doc, you are a tradition at Kansas, Be sure to take care of that old body of yours so when my boy comes to Kansas in seven or eight years you will still be in shape to give him the ad- vantage of your association. God Bless you, Boy. Cordially yours os er ree ea aT ES Mate ee eee ee March 16, 1942. Mr. Mack McGinnis, West Salem, Ohio. Dear Macks I am still tied up with basketball, but I will write you fully at the earliest possible moment regarding the publicity situation at K. U. I might say, however, that Horace Mason ian't going to be replaced because they are doubling up on the work | of the faculty members who are here. For instance, one member of ou department has just left for the army Air Corps, and we are dividing his work among the other people in the department. I lmow that Horace Mason didn't get enough money to interest you, but since this was his home he could afford to stay for the salary they paid hin. Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, PCA: AH Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. | West Salem, Ohio March 6, 1942 Forrest Ce Allen ; Head Basketball Coach Kansas University Lawrence, Kansas Dear Forrest: | ---I have written an application for the publicity position at K.U. Phog,y but Fred Ware has informed me that he- didn't believe that your University intendea to replace Horace Masone I believe that you know the value of publicity, Phog, and also that you know if a University's athletics are to attain the heights that it should in the public's and high sport aficial's eyes, it must have an advance Man. i assure you that if I secured the position that the Jayhawkers would perceive nore publicity than they have had before. I have written the President of your University - giving names of men who can recommend me for publicity work that I have done, among them Fred Ware and John Bentley, whom you know, but as yet I have not received a reply. Could you clear up the situation a little for me? Sincerely; Mack McGinnis ay be ae ae . ha Sule one te saa sh Tie Riese a eh v2 a] 5 5 ae si. i ai SF Spe aaatiian logit fet Sydccetapeaas