Schools have existed since timeimmemorable. From the perspective of the modernworld, the most radical change has been thatschools are now expected not only to reflectcurrent reality, but also to prepare its pupilsfor a changing world. In this article, Wilhelmvon Humboldt's great university reform ishighlighted. Humboldt's ideas of Bildungwere never fully realised in the universitysystem, due to a structural contradiction inhis university plan between specialisedresearch and all-embracing philosophy. The ideaitself, however, remains fruitful, especiallyif combined with John Dewey's moredown-to-earth conceptions.