Reinstate Free Speech at the University of Edinburgh
489 Comments
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Back in the day, universities used to be bastions of freedoms of speech, where ideas were exchanged between one another.
Now, it is becoming ''what-happens-when-you-use-1984-as-an-instruction-manual''
R
Ruth MacAulay
10 years ago
When Voltaire said ‘We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation’, Edinburgh was effectively the crucible of Enlightenment. Such illiberality betrays this proud legacy.
P
Patrick
10 years ago
more free speech the better, Is the only way forward!
M
Michael Kraft
10 years ago
When it comes to 'free speech' v. 'safe spaces,' free speech had better win -- especially at colleges and universities -- or higher education will become even more dumbed down that it already has.
J
Justin hisler
10 years ago
Speech should be free whether we like the speech or not
A
Adrian Lukis
10 years ago
Well done, for having the courage to highlight this issue. It seems extraordinary to me, as someone who attended University in the 1970's, that so many subjects are now considered too sensitive to be permitted a voice. One might argue that this tendency began with immigration- only one voice was allowed on this issue, unless you wanted to be condemned as a racist thug and thereby an undesirable human being...good luck!
R
Russell Burn
10 years ago
The forces against free speech need face up to the actual reality of free speech!
H
Hisbe
10 years ago
No knowledge is safe. No information is safe. If it's a safe space that you want, f*** off from University.
T
Thomas Chapman
10 years ago
Make campuses safe spaces, by all means - OUTIDE of lecture and study rooms and the places where meetings and debates take. If you don't do this, you limit what students can learn.
A
Ali J
10 years ago
Freedom of speach the most important pillar of democracy!
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
How goldsmiths treated maryam namazie has shocked me. It should not happen again
E
Elinor Munday
10 years ago
Any move away from freedom of speech/democracy must be challenged or the creep towards fascism will gain momentum. No one has the right to prevent another the opportunity to express their views and allow debate of views - how else will humans evolve from ingrained, cultural ignorance?
D
Dan Cluley
10 years ago
Reinstate Free Speech at the University of Edinburgh
J
Jan van der Linde
10 years ago
Universities must remain a bastion of free speech. Religion is an idea and ideas must be subject to criticism and question.
P
Piers Walker
10 years ago
All universities should allow open and free debate to all ideas however uncomfortable those ideas are at they can be challenged and examined in a free society
J
jo fraser
10 years ago
I am glad that i wasn't "protected" from free speech as a student. Exposure to ideas - however challenging - is an essential requirement for developing critical thinking!
W
William
10 years ago
Freedom of speech is a hard fought battle and was won in the UK. It should still be a right and must not be undermined. The UK is a great place to be. Count yourself lucky students to be studying here.
L
Liam McCarthy
10 years ago
Education should be about exposing students to multiple views whether they fine this uncomfortable or not.
M
Maryam Namazie
10 years ago
Viva unconditional free expression.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Free speech is the pillar of western civilization. Without the ability and the freedom to question everything and everyone, without the freedom to speak our minds without fear of prosecution, our society is doomed to collapse.
Back in the day, universities used to be bastions of freedoms of speech, where ideas were exchanged between one another. Now, it is becoming ''what-happens-when-you-use-1984-as-an-instruction-manual''
When Voltaire said ‘We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation’, Edinburgh was effectively the crucible of Enlightenment. Such illiberality betrays this proud legacy.
more free speech the better, Is the only way forward!
When it comes to 'free speech' v. 'safe spaces,' free speech had better win -- especially at colleges and universities -- or higher education will become even more dumbed down that it already has.
Speech should be free whether we like the speech or not
Well done, for having the courage to highlight this issue. It seems extraordinary to me, as someone who attended University in the 1970's, that so many subjects are now considered too sensitive to be permitted a voice. One might argue that this tendency began with immigration- only one voice was allowed on this issue, unless you wanted to be condemned as a racist thug and thereby an undesirable human being...good luck!
The forces against free speech need face up to the actual reality of free speech!
No knowledge is safe. No information is safe. If it's a safe space that you want, f*** off from University.
Make campuses safe spaces, by all means - OUTIDE of lecture and study rooms and the places where meetings and debates take. If you don't do this, you limit what students can learn.
Freedom of speach the most important pillar of democracy!
How goldsmiths treated maryam namazie has shocked me. It should not happen again
Any move away from freedom of speech/democracy must be challenged or the creep towards fascism will gain momentum. No one has the right to prevent another the opportunity to express their views and allow debate of views - how else will humans evolve from ingrained, cultural ignorance?
Reinstate Free Speech at the University of Edinburgh
Universities must remain a bastion of free speech. Religion is an idea and ideas must be subject to criticism and question.
All universities should allow open and free debate to all ideas however uncomfortable those ideas are at they can be challenged and examined in a free society
I am glad that i wasn't "protected" from free speech as a student. Exposure to ideas - however challenging - is an essential requirement for developing critical thinking!
Freedom of speech is a hard fought battle and was won in the UK. It should still be a right and must not be undermined. The UK is a great place to be. Count yourself lucky students to be studying here.
Education should be about exposing students to multiple views whether they fine this uncomfortable or not.
Viva unconditional free expression.
Free speech is the pillar of western civilization. Without the ability and the freedom to question everything and everyone, without the freedom to speak our minds without fear of prosecution, our society is doomed to collapse.