Sniffing Out Advocacy | Interview: Robert P. George
Dec 26, 2023
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Princeton professor Robert P. George discusses issues on campuses, such as punishing free speech and banning certain content. They also explore the role of faculty in saving universities, the long march through institutions, and plagiarism accusations against Claudine Gay.
Having faculty members who challenge woke orthodoxy and provide a platform for dissenting viewpoints is crucial for creating a genuine learning environment on campus.
Depoliticizing universities and focusing on genuine education, deep learning, and critical thinking are essential for reforming higher education and offering an alternative to the dominant woke orthodoxy.
Deep dives
The importance of dissenting faculty and student resistance on campuses
It is crucial to have faculty members who challenge woke orthodoxy on campus and provide a platform for dissenting viewpoints. Building infrastructure within universities to support faculty and student engagement with diverse perspectives is essential for creating a genuine learning environment, where students are exposed to the best ideas and encouraged to think critically.
The need to restore universities as truth-seeking institutions
There is a pressing need to depoliticize universities and restore their original purpose of being truth-seeking institutions. A focus on genuine education and deep learning, rather than indoctrination, is essential. Establishing programs and institutes within universities that exemplify these ideals can help reform higher education and offer students an alternative to the dominant woke orthodoxy.
The challenge of selecting candidates in elections
The podcast episode highlights the dilemma of choosing between candidates who may not meet the threshold of merit for the presidency due to character flaws. This problem was observed in the 2016 and 2020 elections, where neither major party candidate was deemed fit for the presidency. The importance of virtue and character in leaders is emphasized, recognizing that policy positions alone cannot outweigh the significance of a candidate's moral character.
The importance of free speech and dissenting voices
The podcast episode underscores the significance of free speech and the need to protect dissenting voices on college campuses and in society. It highlights the value of individuals, such as academic faculty and students, who are willing to challenge dominant ideologies, offer alternative viewpoints, and engage in critical thinking. The discussion encompasses the dangers of suppressing free speech and the importance of creating an environment that encourages open dialogue and intellectual exploration.
Princeton professor Robert P. George says it’s up to the faculty to save universities. He joins Jamie to explain the issues with our campuses, including: