[csaa-forum] query: academic freedom?

[Vincent O'Donnell]

Further to this discussion, especially for those outside Victoria...

The Age editorial this morning offers strong though qualified support
for Paul Mees, while one of Mees traditional opponents, Richard Allsop,
from the Institute of Public Affairs, defend Mees right to his opinion,
and warns: "Mees' new-found status as a martyr for free speech will no
doubt make it harder, in future, for his critics to show that his
arguments have little substance".

Underlying this and similar recent issues of 'academic freedom' is a
concept that somehow the opinion of a university academic is superior
to, say, a staff member of the Institute of Public Affairs.  Think tanks
like the IPA come with attitude, no one denies that.  If an academic
opinion is to carry more weight what are the factor and culture that
support the development of such opinions?

For me those factors, that culture include a collegial atmosphere where
ideas and opinions are tested and refined internally without pressure to
arrive at a group-think position; some security of tenure (not life
tenure) so that the mortgage-bound among us need not fear to hold an
unpopular stance; an administration that is not risk adverse seeking
only after a quiet life; time to contemplate issues, to do undirected
research….

Hmmmm.  Is this culture to be found in the modern university.  If not
then, perhaps, academic freedom is of no more value than common freedom
of speech, and academic opinion of no more value to society than that of
a thoughtful author of a letter to the editor.

Dr Vincent O'Donnell