Utilitas: the practical dimension of University education

Abstract

This article shares some reflections on the utilitas, the first and apparently obvious dimension of the Ledesma– Kolvenbach paradigm. The Jesuit university centres are meant to train for competent “useful” professional performance. The text calls attention to the danger of confusing usefulness with utility. Ignatius of Loyola would express it as preparation to be able to help. Avoiding the two edged sword of mere theoretical knowledge but also of pure pragmatism, a “useful formation” would lead to good professional practice defined as “a set of actions based on a systematic body of knowledge, abilities and skills relevant to resolving certain types of problems and providing certain types of goods and services”. In this last section the author emphasizes the resistence and difficulties that a practical sense of formation could encounter in the daily task of teaching and research. He concludes highlighting the need for this practical dimension (utilitas) to be at the service of the other three mentioned in the following articles: it only makes sense within the framework of those ends and areas it serves.