Resumo

LINDQUIST-SANCHEZ, Ricardo  e  GARCIA-GALVAN, Rodolfo. University ontology: from functions to essence. Diálogos sobre educ. Temas actuales en investig. educ. [online]. 2021, vol.12, n.23, 00021.  Epub 06-Dez-2021. ISSN 2007-2171.  https://doi.org/10.32870/dse.v0i23.702.

The thesis behind this essay maintains that universities have historically been inertial institutions subjected to a hegemonic figure of power, and that one of the ways to combat this inertia lies in the strengthening of the university’s essence. In order to strengthen our thesis, we carried out a broad historical analysis that shows the relationship of dependence between the university and its hegemonic power figures. Subsequently, a philosophical distinction was made between the notions of function, purpose and essence, showing that they are not homologous concepts and that essence represents the main challenge for the universities of our time. Finally, some recommendations are outlined to turn the crisis into an opportunity for the creation of utopias and transformations.

Palavras-chave : universities; higher education; ontology; education philosophy.