A standard for academic freedom

Reader comment on: Academic Freedom and Middle East Studies

Submitted by Joel S. Pachter (United States), Dec 15, 2008 13:22

The nebulousness of the term "academic freedom" will no doubt continue to provoke debate - in particular when the discourse centers around Middle East studies. What is decidely clear, however, is the hypocrisy too often embedded in this issue. When professors rail against being stifled for mistakingly substituting their political views for education, yet remain deafeningly silent when colleagues are stridently admonished - and at times physically threatened or harassed - for conveying "poliitically incorrect" views, the issue of academic freedom is ever the more turned on its ear.

As a professor of a scientific discipline I welcome debate. No less should be consistently expected of any other academic.

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