On William Whewell’s philosophy of education

This is an introduction to the Russian translation of the first chapter from William Whewell's “On the Principles of English University Education”. The author makes a short review of the situation in Cambridge university at the beginning of the XIX century. She pays special attention to the development of mathematics in Cambridge. The author reconstructs the key ideas about the university education and teaching provided by Whewell. She claims that Whewell's philosophy of education makes a contribution to a proper understanding of the ways for modernization of Russian education. She argues that the “practical” way of teaching, which was defended by Whewell, could be implemented through integration of STS program in Russian universities.