This paper discusses the transformation of the university ideal, as envisioned by Wilhelm von Humbolt, from cooperation between science and practical application (Lehre und Leben) and the belief in education and upbringing to a belief in material progress. The paper explores Humboldt's idea of a university, and to what extent it is or is not being realized in modern higher education, by examining the combination of imperatives that are viewed as necessary in regulating the activities of the ideal university. These imperative combinations are: (1) unite research and teaching; (2) unite through philosophy the various empirical sciences; (3) unite science and general upbringing; and (4) unite science with universal enlightenment. The conclusion from this examination is that the unity of research and education that once constituted the modern university has been broken up. Also, there are tendencies to disconnect research and teaching by creating a too specialized research that is closely attached to the demands of business. It is suggested that this separation of research and education threatens the student's ability to gain the broad sense of identity that modern democratic citizenship demands, thus broadening the gap between education and life. Contains 29 references. (GLR)