--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ..it lay in the true function of the…" description: "\"“..it lay in the true function of the university to promote that interplay of view, that discussion and dispute, that cumulative narrowing down of poss..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/707/malcolm-bradbury-14039_education_it-lay-in-the-true-function-of-the-unive_667109.png" --- # ..it lay in the true function of the university to promote… ![“..it lay in the true function of the university to promote that interplay of view, that discussion and dispute, that cumulative narrowing down of possibilities that led to the formation of accurate opinion. The students could be, as it were (he said), the rubbing post for the thought of his teacher.” quote by Malcolm Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/707/malcolm-bradbury-14039_education_it-lay-in-the-true-function-of-the-unive_667109.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/707/malcolm-bradbury-14039_education_it-lay-in-the-true-function-of-the-unive_667109.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/707/malcolm-bradbury-14039_education_it-lay-in-the-true-function-of-the-unive_667109.png) > ““..it lay in the true function of the university to promote that interplay of view, that discussion and dispute, that cumulative narrowing down of possibilities that led to the formation of accurate opinion. The students could be, as it were (he said), the rubbing post for the thought of his teacher.”” [Malcolm Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-bradbury/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Universities should foster open debate, allowing ideas to clash and refine each other toward truth. **In simple terms:** Teaching thrives on dialogue and challenge. Key Takeaway Encourage rigorous discussion. Themes education dialogue critical thinking truth Mood inquisitive thoughtful Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - lecture halls - research seminars - student‑teacher mentorship Key Concepts socratic method intellectual rigor knowledge construction Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions protect academic freedom? - What mechanisms ensure balanced discourse? A Different Perspective Power dynamics may suppress dissenting voices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Possibilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibilities/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [University](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university/) ## Related quotes > [“The function of the university is not simply to teach breadwinning, or to furnish teachers for the public schools, or to be a centre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-function-of-the-university-is-not-simply-to-teach-breadwinning-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The main function of a university is not to grant degrees and diplomas, but to develop the university spirit and advance learning. 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(Hilda Doolittle > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. 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