The university and the state: reflections on the report of Van Wyk de Vries Commission

Abstract

In this article the findings of the Van Wyk de Vries Commission on South African Universities are examined. Special emphasis is laid on the broad issue of the nature of the relation between the university and the state, and the writer critically examines the arguments put forward by the Commission in this regard. He concludes inter alia that the Commission has not succeeded in spelling out the true account of the nature of the University and of its relations with the state. Nonetheless, he observes, from a philosopher's point of view, the Commission's argument is worthwhile in that it is an interesting failure, . . . because where would philosophy be (and philosophers be employed) if arguments did succeed and debates did reach conclusions.