{"product_id":"on-education-formation-citizenship-and-the-lost-purpose-of-learning","title":"On Education, Formation, Citizenship and the Lost Purpose of Learning","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise readings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Short, focused essays allow readers to engage Augustine's ideas without wading through dense academic tomes, making complex themes accessible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary perspectives:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contributions from philosophers and religion scholars offer varied angles on how Augustine's thought speaks to education, formation, and citizenship.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCultural diagnosis:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical insight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical reflection:\u003c\/strong\u003e The volume connects Augustine's moral and spiritual concerns to present-day issues like hyper-specialization and careerism, prompting contemplative and institutional reflection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcise essays make Augustine's ideas approachable for non-specialists interested in education and formation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterdisciplinary voices illuminate different facets of citizenship and the moral purposes of learning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical framing of Augustine's defense of the liberal arts gives persuasive context for contemporary debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe short, essay format means readers seeking exhaustive scholarly detail on Augustine will need additional sources.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOn Education, Formation, Citizenship and the Lost Purpose of Learning (Reading Augustine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors \/ Editors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJoseph Clair, Miles Hollingworth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReadings of St. Augustine on education, formation, and citizenship\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConcise personal essays by philosophers and religion scholars\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiberal arts, moral purpose of learning, hyper-specialization\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, faculty, readers interested in philosophy and education\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on Augustine's historical context?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe essays explicitly connect Augustine's defense of the liberal arts at the end of the Roman Empire to contemporary educational concerns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a practical guide to reforming universities?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo; the book offers interpretive and moral reflection rather than step-by-step policy prescriptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho contributed the readings?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLeading philosophers and religion scholars provide concise, personal readings of Augustine throughout the volume.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Joseph Clair, Miles Hollingworth","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48662989406427,"sku":"1501326155","price":138.18,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/815vf4_btQL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778674825","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/on-education-formation-citizenship-and-the-lost-purpose-of-learning","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}