Page 151 - Šolsko polje, XXXI, 2020, 3-4: Convention on the Rights of the Child: Educational Opportunities and Social Justice, eds. Zdenko Kodelja and Urška Štremfel
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teršek ■ public universities in post-socialist states could become ‘un-academic’ ...
Discussion with a fellow professor about the ‘state of affairs’ regarding
universities
Two years ago, I had a discussion with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tonči Kuzmanić,
an eminent philosopher, publicist, critical intellectual and a person with
enormous knowledge, also a friend: about universities, faculties, studies,
knowledge, and the academic community. I wrote our conversation down
(Teršek, 2018) and translated it for publication in this article.20
Tonči, do you agree that Prof. Umberto Galimberti is addressing exac-
tly what is happening in Slovenia with this criticism, this warning and
this concern (note: in the book Horrible Guest-Youth and Nihilism)?
The lack of real content and thought, the complete usurpation of the
academic university sphere by what Galimberti calls naked technical
rationality? I mean… So, it is no longer about content, but only about
the path to a simplified goal. This goal is simply the mere acquisition
of some form, in the form of a diploma or something else. And this di-
ploma does not really reflect anything substantial, it is not addressed to
anyone directly, and it does not deliver anything substantial. It is only
a result, the end product of a process in which it is made technically, ra-
tionally, administratively, bureaucratically, ‘ face to face’ and on paper
completely banal, to the point where a thesis is made, but not in the first
to a large extent on cultural, scientific and technical development and that it is built in
centres of culture, knowledge and research centers, as represented by serious universities”.
20 Assoc. Prof. Tonči Kuzmanić is one of the best educated members of the Slovenian
academic community. In the period before Slovenian independence, he was one of those
people who, with their knowledge, intellect and critical thinking, ‘plowed the furrow’ for
Slovenia’s liberation from the clutches of the former common state of Yugoslavia. He
was co-founder of the central Slovenian journal for critical civic thinking, an initiator of
numerous scientific projects and civic activities, which with determination, courage and
sincere commitment to freedom, dignity, fundamental human rights and the political
ethic paved the way to an independent state, of the Nation of Slovenia. He was an editor,
columnist, author of numerous scientific articles and newspaper articles, author of several
books, a university professor, head of scientific projects of international significance and
a man who always held a critical mirror up to political power and (as he calls it) “political
management”. Together with other university colleagues, we designed a new course of
study in “political science” at the University of Primorska in Koper (Slovenia), which
unfortunately did not last longer than 5 years due to bureaucratic constraints based solely
on the number of students enrolled. Kuzmanić has now retired. And he still writes and
reads every day and most of the evening. Along with everything else, he is also my friend.
And a teacher of sorts, not just a conversationalist. By publishing our conversation in
English for this publication, I thank him in a way for his attention to my work and for the
knowledge and wisdom he has shared with me over the years of our friendship. Especially
on the subject of the university, the academic community and politics in a genuine,
Aristotelian sense. At the moment, he is probably catching some fish early in the morning
on the island of Vis in Croatia, reading a book and preparing dinner for his friends and
acquaintances from that island.
149
Discussion with a fellow professor about the ‘state of affairs’ regarding
universities
Two years ago, I had a discussion with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tonči Kuzmanić,
an eminent philosopher, publicist, critical intellectual and a person with
enormous knowledge, also a friend: about universities, faculties, studies,
knowledge, and the academic community. I wrote our conversation down
(Teršek, 2018) and translated it for publication in this article.20
Tonči, do you agree that Prof. Umberto Galimberti is addressing exac-
tly what is happening in Slovenia with this criticism, this warning and
this concern (note: in the book Horrible Guest-Youth and Nihilism)?
The lack of real content and thought, the complete usurpation of the
academic university sphere by what Galimberti calls naked technical
rationality? I mean… So, it is no longer about content, but only about
the path to a simplified goal. This goal is simply the mere acquisition
of some form, in the form of a diploma or something else. And this di-
ploma does not really reflect anything substantial, it is not addressed to
anyone directly, and it does not deliver anything substantial. It is only
a result, the end product of a process in which it is made technically, ra-
tionally, administratively, bureaucratically, ‘ face to face’ and on paper
completely banal, to the point where a thesis is made, but not in the first
to a large extent on cultural, scientific and technical development and that it is built in
centres of culture, knowledge and research centers, as represented by serious universities”.
20 Assoc. Prof. Tonči Kuzmanić is one of the best educated members of the Slovenian
academic community. In the period before Slovenian independence, he was one of those
people who, with their knowledge, intellect and critical thinking, ‘plowed the furrow’ for
Slovenia’s liberation from the clutches of the former common state of Yugoslavia. He
was co-founder of the central Slovenian journal for critical civic thinking, an initiator of
numerous scientific projects and civic activities, which with determination, courage and
sincere commitment to freedom, dignity, fundamental human rights and the political
ethic paved the way to an independent state, of the Nation of Slovenia. He was an editor,
columnist, author of numerous scientific articles and newspaper articles, author of several
books, a university professor, head of scientific projects of international significance and
a man who always held a critical mirror up to political power and (as he calls it) “political
management”. Together with other university colleagues, we designed a new course of
study in “political science” at the University of Primorska in Koper (Slovenia), which
unfortunately did not last longer than 5 years due to bureaucratic constraints based solely
on the number of students enrolled. Kuzmanić has now retired. And he still writes and
reads every day and most of the evening. Along with everything else, he is also my friend.
And a teacher of sorts, not just a conversationalist. By publishing our conversation in
English for this publication, I thank him in a way for his attention to my work and for the
knowledge and wisdom he has shared with me over the years of our friendship. Especially
on the subject of the university, the academic community and politics in a genuine,
Aristotelian sense. At the moment, he is probably catching some fish early in the morning
on the island of Vis in Croatia, reading a book and preparing dinner for his friends and
acquaintances from that island.
149
