2
During his appearance on Tucker
can require courage,” the academics of the political spectrum. “The same
rules of engagement apply, whether Carlson Tonight, George paused to
wrote.
Likewise, the practice John Stuart conformity pressures are originating express gratitude for the acclaimed
Mill once described as the “the tyran- from right-wing or left-wing philos- scholars who came together to high-
ny of public opinion” dissuades some ophies,” said George during his ap- light the need for emerging adults to
shape their world views via unfettered
students from openly countering pre- pearance on Fox News.
As the joint letter affirms, the “love discourse. “They are wonderful peo-
vailing perspectives on political, mor-
al, and related issues. Such campus of truth and the desire to attain it” ple, brilliant scholars,” he said.
Ultimately, the educators im-
sentiments lead some underclassmen should motivate students to think
to “suppose that dominant
views are so obviously correct
that only a bigot or crank could
question them.”
Because students do not
want to face alienation, the
“easy, lazy way to proceed is
simply by falling into line with
campus orthodoxies,” the let-
ter continued.
That is precisely where in-
tellectual initiative and bold-
ness come into play.
“Thinking for yourself
means questioning dominant
ideas, even when others insist
on their being treated as un-
questionable,” the professors
wrote.
Firestone Memorial Library at Princeton University
Rather, individualistic
thinking involves “taking the
trouble to learn and honestly consid- independently, especially in academ- plored freshmen not to be “tyrannized
er the strongest arguments to be ad- ic settings. “The central point of a by public opinion.” When embracing
vanced on both or all sides of college education is to seek truth and or rejecting positions, especially in-
questions.” That includes arguments to learn the skills and acquire the vir- volving morality, take time to assess
for positions that some “revile and tues necessary to be a lifelong arguments for competing positions
critically.
want to stigmatize” and against some truth-seeker,” the professors wrote.
Most importantly, “don’t get
Likewise, “open-mindedness, crit-
views barred from scrutiny, the schol-
ical thinking, and debate are essential trapped in an echo chamber,” they
ars noted.
For his part, George readily em- to discovering the truth.” Such ap- wrote.| cu
phasized that the rules of intellectual proaches form the “best antidotes to
discourse should apply to both ends bigotry.”
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