Edward Shils and the American University

Edward Shils was a distinguished educator, scholar, author and editor, but first and foremost a sociologist. He vigorously defended the traditional research university throughout his life and argued that it performed a significant central function in modern society. He believed that science and scholarship must be valued for their own sake and that universities should be free from government interference. Shils was one of the most thoughtful analysts of higher education and of intellectual life.
Edward Shils (1910-1995) defended the traditional research university throughout his career, arguing that it performs a central role in modern society, that science and scholarship must be valued for their [...]