“One’s primary purpose at university level is to learn how to think.” Professor Phipps in “Higher Learning” (1995) Jonathan Haidt’s “Two incompatible sacred values in American universities” is another great presentation to watch. (But then again, I already had a high opinion of him. ;-)) But seriously, watch it if you are concerned about the direction universities take. He makes great points that an university can only have one core value (telos) and that is truth. Whenever something else, another telos, is infused, bad things happen. At the very least, universities should be clear about their telos, esp. if it’s different from truth (e.g., “Christ” or “Social Justice”). I don’t agree with all of his points though, although I am unsure whether he is sometimes just very diplomatic. Might be, but maybe my bias is showing. In any case he is a great presenter with some interesting tricks. And yeah, well worth watching. BTW, if you are interested in the topic, check out heterodox academy. Haidt and others try to ensure/bring back institutionalized disconfirmation/viewpoint diversity.
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