Odwaga dialogu, wspólnotowości i sceptycyzmu. Uniwersytet w obronie rudymentarnych wartości stanowiących o jego (prze)trwaniu

University – both in the Middle Ages and today – has been a part of the society and was prone to processes similar to the societal ones, which determined its functioning. Last decades rapidly accelerated the discussions about contemporary higher education institutions. The aim of the article is to indicate the expectancies towards the university expressed by individuals and social groups, as well as by the state. A contemporary state does not need engaged citizens, it needs competent users of an institution, which radically changes the expectancies towards university. It is often acknowledged that the university should equip students not with general knowledge, but specific skills enabling them to function in social life. It is contrary to the idea of general education, in which not only knowledge, but also specific cultural dispositions: openness to otherness, negotiation skills and respect towards other worldviews are crucial. The article calls to traditional university values and describes how their perception has changed in the contemporary university.