Basic academic issues such as institutional objectives, educational ethics, and methods of academic decision-making are examined in light of significant new social, economic, legal, and educational developments in this revision of the 1977 edition of "On the Philosophy of Higher Education." Focus is on the tension between pure research and social involvement, lay versus academic control, and academic freedom. The chapters are as follows: (1) "The Higher Learning" (philosophies legitimating higher education, conflict of philosophies, and political philosophy); (2) "Academic Autonomy" (the limits of autonomy, autonomy in academic hierarchy, collective bargaining, and student participation); (3) "Academic Freedom" (the justifications, limits, and political aspects of academic freedom, student involvement, and civil liberties); (4) "Higher Education for Whom?" (access to education, meritocracy and egalitarianism, and the quality of higher education); (5) "General and Specialized Education" (general education, vocational education, and counter-culture); (6) "Pedagogy of Higher Education" (types of pedagogy, curriculum, motivation of learning, and the grading system); (7) "Ethics of Scholarship" (obligation to one's discipline, ethical tangents to academic freedom, financial considerations, sanctions, and student honor codes); and (8) "The University as a Church" (the university as a secular church in its capacity to continue what the church has always been--the conscience of society). A bibliographical essay and index are provided. (LC)