John Henry Newman sets out to defend the idea of Liberal (when I say "liberal" it is in the sense of a Liberal Arts degree)University for the training of young men. (His book is aimed at men and for the purpose of men... I don't know if the education of women at that time was still frowned upon). Within a series of nine discourses (which he initially delivered at the inaugural year of the University in Ireland)he sets out to defend his picture of what a University education should look like. Newman's arguments are logical and well defended with the arguments building, like a tower is built, upon one another. Each discourse takes up a specific thesis and is defended in the following pages.
He first demonstrates that Truth is One, that is composed of one overarching, interrelated matrix. There are many systems of thought that are at play, but nonetheless, all Truth is delicately intertwined so that if you neglect one aspect of the Truth in essence you are unraveling the binds that tie that Truth together. You can study science or economics or literature or theology or any branch of knowledge whatsoever and that which is true in that branch is related in degrees to all branches of knowledge.
Theology, then, is necessary to the University since the University is supposed to teach "universal" knowledge, that is, all possible fields of knowledge. He argues that for a University to neglect any form of knowledge is to be oppressive and arrogant in its view of what knowledge consists. Has not religion and the ideas of 'god(s)' permeated the world since the beginning of time? Because truth is one and theology is a branch of knowledge (Newman argues the highest)then the University must teach Theology in order to fulfill its purpose of teaching Universal knowledge.
Should knowledge be gained for knowledge sake (philosophy) or should knowledge be gained for its use (utility)? Newman argues that knowledge is an end in itself not simply a means to an end, as most understand. He likens the health of the mind to the health of the body. No human treats his body well through exercise and right dieting in order that they may use the body for another task (though a healthy body allows for use), rather the health of the body is the end itself. So also the health of the mind. We gain knowledge not simply to be able to make ourselves richer or more powerful, to invent or produce (though those things can happen when the mind is healthy), we gain knowledge to deepen our understanding of Truth and its interrelatedness to all of life. He calls this "enlightenment." Defenders of Utility point out that utility is best for society in general as it promotes the happiness and well-being of the society and vice versa knowledge for knowledge sake is a hindrance to development and production. Newman argues the opposite. He argues that knowledge for utility sake is a great evil for society. When schooling is given which tends only to utility the students simply learn that which is beneficial to its field. They are not taught to think of their field as related to the entire body of Truth, they are not capable of understanding the relational power of truth. That, according to Newman is most dangerous for society. A society that cannot think is destined to fail even if it can produce.
With clear thinking and logic Newman defends the idea of the University which teaches knowledge to the aim of enlightenment and health of mind, to understand the relationship of truth to all facets of knowledge, to discern between true knowledge and faulty knowledge. Simply learning knowledge for the sake of utility is a barren land of mechanical production, learning knowledge for the sake of itself fosters a forest of rich thought and expression.
He ends his discourses with a presentation of his Patron Saint. He demonstrates, ironically, how it is that philosophical knowledge is more useful that utilitarian knowledge. He demonstrates how this man furthered the integrity and sanctity of his society, how he selflessly lived in service to his society, how taught wisdom and sagacity, how he demonstrated Truth to his world and how his world was better for it.
As a disclaimer, Newman does not downgrade the importance of utilitarian knowledge, how that we need to eat, and be physically healthy before we can be mentally healthy, but he says that Utilitarian knowledge should be subservient to philosophical knowledge once that form of learning is made possible by healthy living conditions.