Revitalizing Higher Education and the Commitment to the Public Good: A Literature Review

Abstract

Neoliberalism stands at odds with the inherent in the mission of higher education, and does not strengthen the public good or promote democracy. In light of this contrast, the literature review calls for a new conception of the notion of the public good for higher education institutions, rooted in the German philosophical tradition of the I-though theory as developed by Ludwig Feuerbach. Multiple works are in conversation with one another, bringing forth relevant pieces of literature and building upon the I-thou framework. The literature is synthesized and interpreted to construct the I-thou theoretical framework for the advancement of the public good within higher education. Though the ideas of nineteenth century German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach are not usually evoked when discussing the public good, his ideas can have a great impact on our understanding of the purposes of higher education and its promotion of the public good.