The University as Microcosm

Abstract

This paper puts forward the model of 'microcosm-macrocosm' isomorphism encapsulated in certain philosophical views on the form of university education. The human being as a 'microcosm' should reflect internally the external 'macrocosm'. Higher Education is a socially instituted attempt to guide human beings into forming themselves as microcosms of the whole world in its diversity. By getting to know the surrounding world, they re-enact it intellectually. Such a re-enacting is a guiding theme in certain philosophies of education studied here. It is with the Neo-Humanist tradition culminating in Humboldt's reforms that an additional step was taken: the university should become itself the reflecting 'microcosm'. This role is nowadays taken up by unconventional LLE, though with far-reaching changes.The paper is divided into four interconnected Sections each one developing a specific manifestation of the micro-macro relationship.The main thesis is that: (I) contemporary schemes of never-ending higher education or of so-called 'transformative learning' and of 'universities-multiversities' have their intellectual underpinnings either in similarity or in direct contrast to specific predecessors. Inherent tensions found in these predecessors have left their mark on this micro-macrocosmic model to the extent that it is present in them; (II) the proposed analysis in terms of this model enhances significantly our in-depth understanding of some latent aspects in current trends in LLE and related innovative university schemes; at the same time this model helps us structure appropriately and without anachronisms our humanisticly-inspired critical response to them for abandoning the ideal of the 'wholeness' of the human person.

SARS-CoV-2 variants-associated outbreaks of COVID-19 in a tertiary institution, North-Central Nigeria: Implications for epidemic control

“…This suggests high levels of community transmission of COVID-19, especially through asymptomatic and/ or pre-symptomatic individuals [ 58 , 59 ]. While this is made possible through the mingling together of student and non-student populations that reside in all categories of accommodations (on- or off-campus), it further demonstrates how the university community is seen as a microcosm of the society [ 60 ]. This study further provides evidence that following the official reopening of academic institutions across Nigeria, possible outbreaks of COVID-19 within naïve communities sustained the third wave of the pandemic in Nigeria and vice versa through community transmission.…”

Factors associated with commuting stress among tertiary education employees in Georgetown, Guyana

“…Universities are normally microcosms of the wider society in which they operate, therefore it is to be expected that the demographic makeup of the university would be similar to that of the society in which they function. [38–39]…”

“…Universities are normally microcosms of the wider society in which they operate, therefore it is to be expected that the demographic makeup of the university would be similar to that of the society in which they function. [38][39] Using an online sample size calculator, (Raofost, 2004), assuming an unknown population a sample size of 377 was recommended. Assuming that all questionnaires would not be returned or only partially completed, it was determined that 33% more questionnaires should be distributed therefore 505 questionnaires were distributed.…”

A whole-institution approach towards sustainability: a crucial aspect of higher education’s individual and collective engagement with the SDGs and beyond

“…From individual measures to holistic ways A university can be a microcosm, containing most aspects of society (Kaldis, 2009). In size, it can be the equivalent of a small to mid-size town, complete with collectible data, capable of measuring and monitoring its own footprint such as water, energy and waste flows.…”