Should University professors be free to write about the most controversial issues?

Question

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295230,00.html

Finkelstein is the author of five books, including "The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering."

Answer 1

Its his opinion. But the reality is if you dont agree with the entire AIPAC agenda you will be accused of antisemitism. If you think Israel shouldnt dictate american foreign policy then you are an antisemite. If you think Isreal should work on the genocides that go down daily (rather than lament for all eternity the Holocaust) and actually accept some darfur refugees you are an antisemite. Even though its antigentile to kick the darfur refugees back to their deaths. I dont think they should be able to label everyone an antisemite. Its like Sharpton everyone hates blacks. I for one am sick of this rhetoric.

Answer 2

Technically, yes, since any controversial subject which promotes a heated discussion has a potential to push us out of our comfort zone and expend our minds. The problem becomes valid when someone works for a teaching institutions, such as universities, which have policies in place regarding discrimination, antisemitism, sexual harassment, and the like. A good teacher will promote intellectual development and enlightenment in his/her student, not selfishly use the university as his/her personal platform. There are reasons for having a certain curriculum in place, and if one of your professors is so outspoken and determined to publish and crusade, the real question here is, what will a student that is unable to reconcile this can do? And what if this professor sways young minds who admire him/her and believe every word he has written as the gospel?

Answer 3

Yes, but Amerisreal doesn't want any non-establishment Jews undermining the power of "waving the bloody shirt of antisemitism/the holocaust" or being an anti - Zionist.

why Norman Finkelstein rules:

Finkelstein owns Zionist Wolf Blitzer


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2598829544473158030&q=Finkelstein+zionist&total=46&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Answer 4

Of course! It is the illiterate who shake their fists and protest with no knowledge besides the brain washing they have succumbed too. If they had knowledge, they would know that to know the TRUTH is to set you free and no one can deceive you if you have read and know the truth!! Just as with faith if you know the word of God no one can distort it and there is no fear. Ignorance breeds fear.
The Univercity is afraid to comitt to their real reasons for their "administ. leave" which is a perfect catch all to deal with their own hidden agendas without being liable.BS "we don't have room for your courses" Attack on freedom! Truely an example of political history!! And a prime example of Inequality of social justice!!! These are the very issues Finkelstein would examine in his classes! What a loss. Repetitious isn't it? A prophet is never honored in his homeland.

Answer 5

As a current college student, I have no problem with professors being able to write about what they want, and I have no problem with professors instructing about the subjects as long as they allow fair and open debate.

My current school encourages debate and even sets it up as we are assigned alot of team projects and the instructors set up libs and cons in the same groups with each other.

Of course as an independent, I really screw up the dynamics but it makes it fun.

Answer 6

I notice that he is being denied tenure at the University, and yet maintains that he has some kind of "contractual rights".

I'd be interested to read a contract with an untenured professor that gave him any legitimate expectation of tenure, as that would effectively BE tenure.

I suspect he's a dufus, regardless of his Holocaust views, which may or may not have anything to do with his tenure being denied.

Answer 7

Of course, as long as they are ready to..
1) defend their position
2) prove their position
3) be criticized
4) allow debate

The problem is not what the professors write or say, it is the fact they do not allow for debate and do not allow argument against their positions. When people are forced to accept these ideas without retort it no longer becomes a matter of intellectual debate it becomes intellectual fascism like you see with ward Churchill and a number of others.

Answer 8

Certainly--but that's not a "blank check." Academic freedom protects--or should--any scientist, historian,etc. so they can say whatthey think on any subject they choos to study.

It does not protect an acdemic from suffering te consequences of making unfounded claims, falsifying data, or simply attacking people without sound evidence to back up his/her statements.

Which is the case with Finklestein? Frankly, I don't know-so I'm reserving judgement. From the standpoint of social theory, his thesis isn't implausible--but as ahistorian/sociologist myself, I'd have to see the evidence he presents--andmore of the background of the controversy.

Answer 9

Why not? Unless people's minds are stimulated and discussion of all angles are made we don't learn anything new. I think it is great. If one doesn't like what the professor writes they don't have to buy or read the book. They can write one countering everything in the professor's book. Free exchange of ideas is democracy at work.

Answer 10

Yes, they should be free to write whatever they want.
However, the university should also have the right to fire someone who, as a representative of that university's staff, publishes something that the university feels is inappropriate.
It would be no different than the university firing a female professor who chooses to pose nude in Playboy.

Answer 11

What they write is of no real concern provided that the information is correct and the writing is his/her own and not lifted from another author.

The professor's writing should not be required reading in his/her class unless the professor was hired for that expressed purpose and that fact was available in the institution's course catalog.