ADDENDUM: Reasons for Academic Freedom The University of Virginia’s College at Wise by Garrett W. Sheldon The John Morton Beaty Professor of Political and Social Sciences November, 2015
“Here we are not afraid to follow the truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error, so long as reason is left free to combat it.” ~ Thomas Jefferson on The University of Virginia
The above quotation from the Founder of our University has embodied the ideal of Academic Freedom in America for almost 200 years. This ideal, that inside the university, faculty, students and staff can express all manner of ideas, engage in free discussion and debate without suppression, persecution, or censorship of unpopular or controversial ideas for political, economic, religious or social reasons, rests on several assumptions. (1.) The full, free and open expression of all ideas, thoughts, opinions and feelings is essential to learning and education. John Stuart Mill, in his classic defense of intellectual freedom, ON LIBERTY, argued that to know any idea, theory, or proposition, one must be acquainted with opposing views. To understand Liberalism fully, one must know views critical of it (conservatism, radicalism, etc.). Therefore, to develop the mind, critical thinking, intellect, one must be exposed to all sides of an issue or topic. (2.) Such open, free debate and inquiry leads to progress: political, economic, scientific, social, and moral progress. Societies that restrict, censor or punish expression of ideas invariably become weaker: educationally, politically, economically, militarily and morally. Consequently, there is more human suffering when freedom of thought and debate are suppressed or sanctioned.