3 ms·
I think this quote from Julia Adams, one of the signers, is relevant: > "The concerns articulated in the FfY formation statement pertain to universities — and
by CivBase 3y ago
I think this quote from Julia Adams, one of the signers, is relevant:
> "The concerns articulated in the FfY formation statement pertain to universities — and not their members! — as activists."
There's no problem with individuals within academics being activists, but the institution itself should remain neutral. Its goal should be to foster an environment where ideas can be shared freely and considered by anyone.
- ToucanLoucan 3y ago> There's no problem with individuals within academics being activists, but the institution itself should remain neutral. Its goal should be to foster an environment where ideas can be shared freely and considered by anyone. Not all ideas are created equal. We have a long history of ideas, including sciences, that are discredited to a degree where they are, frankly, beneath consideration. Subjects like phrenology and eugenics, the creation theory for the origins of the universe, etc. IMO continuing to permit debate on some of these is not only harmful because the science itself was, in itself, harmful, but it's also a waste of an expensive institution's resources. At some point, further inquiry on a given subject just does not merit the time and energy of people who have far better work to be doing.
- CivBase 3y agoI don't think anyone is asking institutions to spend resources on ideas which have been discredited. I believe the ask is for academic institutions to avoid creating an atmosphere where ideas are abandoned before they can be evaluated because they run counter to the activist ideas promoted by the institution. EDIT: or an atmosphere where certain ideas are favored because they support the activist ideas promoted by the institution.