The Forum > Article Comments > Universities more concerned about brand reputation than freedom > Comments
Universities more concerned about brand reputation than freedom : Comments
By Gregory Melleuish, published 19/12/2018It is not unknown for fractious individuals on campus to exploit the opaque nature of the rules and to institute vexatious proceedings against those with whom they disagree.
- Pages:
-
- Page 1
-
- All
- Pages:
-
- Page 1
-
- All
Therefore here is the question. What are examples of academic controversy that is being neglected or pushed aside?
I'm not saying there aren't topics and controversies avoided or pushed from giving a fair trial, but recognizing which ones are examples of avoided topics might help pin the point down.
Here would be one example a controvical topic that might be worth pushing aside. I once had a class on sociology with a specific focus on deviant behavior. The teacher commited to the study of other populations and exploring the cases that were outside the norm. It was a fascinating class but the teacher admited she in the past recommended for extra going to a meeting of a group that was considered a cult (through a list from a government policing agency). She said that looking back that was a dangerous idea that could have put the students in danger do to being willing to see the topic of cults in action.
Outside of exploring things that put students at risk, I agree with the article. If a topic is rejected at an academic level before being willing to hear it out then it's no longer a true sense of free thought and academic freedom.
On the other hand, is that freedom worth protecting? Should a university instill a foundation to grow from for students, and therefore hold certain positions as an aced emit body? Or should the role of universities be about exploring the topics regardless of if it's helpful to students, or if they really are "dangerous ideas" that would harm a student by exploring. Simular to how exploring certian drugs leads to unhealthy addictions and health risks?
(Continued)