Cardinal Newman's notion of assent and some implications for education

Abstract

The object of this study is to present certain aspects of the thought of Cardinal Newman which have significance for education and to indicate the extent to which truth is decisive in what he advocated. Because his analysis of judgment is fundamental to his philosophy and thus to all his conclusions concerning the substance and accidents of education, Chapter I deals with this subject. As an example of a particular application of Newman’s concept of truth and its communication, his literary theory is considered in Chapter II. Finally, from his writings, a number of ideals for the educator are drawn as the content of Chapter III. Each of these ideals is in complete accordance with his theory of assent which is the core of his approach.