On Education, Formation, Citizenship and the Lost Purpose of Learning

In this review of On Education, Formation, Citizenship and the Lost Purpose of Learning (Reading Augustine), the bottom line is clear: this compact, essay-driven volume is for readers who want a reflective reassessment of what higher education should cultivate. Written as concise, personal readings of St. Augustine by leading philosophers and religion scholars, the book argues that the crisis in education is not merely financial but moral and spiritual. The readers will find a thoughtful case that Augustine's defense of the liberal arts can illuminate contemporary concerns about specialization, civic formation, and the purpose of learning.

Key Features

• Concise readings: Short, focused essays allow readers to engage Augustine's ideas without wading through dense academic tomes, making complex themes accessible.
• Interdisciplinary perspectives: Contributions from philosophers and religion scholars offer varied angles on how Augustine's thought speaks to education, formation, and citizenship.
• Cultural diagnosis: The book frames the crisis in higher education as a crisis of soul, which helps readers move beyond surface complaints about cost and debt to deeper questions of purpose.
• Historical insight: By showing how Augustine defended the liberal arts at the end of the Roman Empire, the essays provide historical precedent for renewing educational aims today.
• Practical reflection: The volume connects Augustine's moral and spiritual concerns to present-day issues like hyper-specialization and careerism, prompting contemplative and institutional reflection.

Who It's For

This book is well suited to students, faculty, and thoughtful readers interested in the intersection of philosophy, religion, and educational policy; it rewards those who appreciate reflective essays and historical analogies. Anyone engaged in curricular debates or concerned with the moral ends of education will find the readings a useful resource.

Readers seeking a how-to handbook for policy reform or an empirical study of higher education trends should look elsewhere; this volume is analytical and interpretive rather than prescriptive or statistical. Those wanting an exhaustive treatment of Augustine should supplement this with full-length scholarly works.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Concise essays make Augustine's ideas approachable for non-specialists interested in education and formation.
• Interdisciplinary voices illuminate different facets of citizenship and the moral purposes of learning.
• Historical framing of Augustine's defense of the liberal arts gives persuasive context for contemporary debates.

Cons

• The short, essay format means readers seeking exhaustive scholarly detail on Augustine will need additional sources.

Specifications

Title	On Education, Formation, Citizenship and the Lost Purpose of Learning (Reading Augustine)
Authors / Editors	Joseph Clair, Miles Hollingworth
Focus	Readings of St. Augustine on education, formation, and citizenship
Approach	Concise personal essays by philosophers and religion scholars
Primary themes	Liberal arts, moral purpose of learning, hyper-specialization
Intended audience	Students, faculty, readers interested in philosophy and education

Our Verdict

This volume is a thoughtful, compact exploration of Augustine's relevance to modern education and civic life; readers who value reflective, interdisciplinary essays will find it good value for the perspective it provides, though those wanting exhaustive scholarship should supplement it with longer studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book focus on Augustine's historical context?
The essays explicitly connect Augustine's defense of the liberal arts at the end of the Roman Empire to contemporary educational concerns.

Is this a practical guide to reforming universities?
No; the book offers interpretive and moral reflection rather than step-by-step policy prescriptions.

Who contributed the readings?
Leading philosophers and religion scholars provide concise, personal readings of Augustine throughout the volume.