Reinstate Free Speech at the University of Edinburgh
489 Comments
K
Khin
10 years ago
Back in the humanities at 38 after resettling refugees for twelve years and I can't believe how oppressive the atmosphere is in the name of orthodox. I'm on the left. But the left is discrediting itself and dumbing itself down in the process. We need to engage opposing voices to sharpen our arguments.
S
Simon haque
10 years ago
Free speech is the cornerstone of a democratic society.
R
Robbie Travers
10 years ago
Here are my reasons to support this. http://robbietravers.com/2015/02/28/the-decay-of-the-left-and-the-need-to-reaffirm-liberalism/
P
Paul Brading
10 years ago
Freedom produces friction. Friction produces sparks. It is these sparks that ignite meaningful debate. A frictionless environment is an inert one, devoid of momentum, doomed to calcification. Is that what we want? Because that's what we'll get if we carry on down this path of 'safe spaces' and 'triggering'.
I
Ian Michie
10 years ago
The very concept of "safe space" destroys intellectual discourse, rigorous debate & interaction of sometimes opposing & challenging viewpoints. We either have free speech for everyone, or we have it for no-one - there is no middle ground, no grey area. Once you decide for others what they can hear you also make a judgement on what you would like them to think - clearly unacceptable at any University in the "free West. I commend Mr Peters for his seemingly lone voice against this tsunami of pernicious censorship that pervades our once great places of learning in the UK.
R
Roy Mackay
10 years ago
If a majority declares itself, then as soon as a majority seems to have been formed on a matter, everyone else tends to shut up and they start internalising the idea they may be wrong; that they probably are wrong, because if everyone else thinks otherwise why should they be right; who are they to think differently to the majority. The Tyranny of the Majority becomes the great danger unless and until people have the courage to stand up and voice dissent. An excellent and most worthwhile petition.
D
David Cryer
10 years ago
This is a well-phrased criticism of the current western trend to self-righteous censorship groups in universities. Follow the example of the American University in Washington D.C.
Back in the humanities at 38 after resettling refugees for twelve years and I can't believe how oppressive the atmosphere is in the name of orthodox. I'm on the left. But the left is discrediting itself and dumbing itself down in the process. We need to engage opposing voices to sharpen our arguments.
Free speech is the cornerstone of a democratic society.
Here are my reasons to support this. http://robbietravers.com/2015/02/28/the-decay-of-the-left-and-the-need-to-reaffirm-liberalism/
Freedom produces friction. Friction produces sparks. It is these sparks that ignite meaningful debate. A frictionless environment is an inert one, devoid of momentum, doomed to calcification. Is that what we want? Because that's what we'll get if we carry on down this path of 'safe spaces' and 'triggering'.
The very concept of "safe space" destroys intellectual discourse, rigorous debate & interaction of sometimes opposing & challenging viewpoints. We either have free speech for everyone, or we have it for no-one - there is no middle ground, no grey area. Once you decide for others what they can hear you also make a judgement on what you would like them to think - clearly unacceptable at any University in the "free West. I commend Mr Peters for his seemingly lone voice against this tsunami of pernicious censorship that pervades our once great places of learning in the UK.
If a majority declares itself, then as soon as a majority seems to have been formed on a matter, everyone else tends to shut up and they start internalising the idea they may be wrong; that they probably are wrong, because if everyone else thinks otherwise why should they be right; who are they to think differently to the majority. The Tyranny of the Majority becomes the great danger unless and until people have the courage to stand up and voice dissent. An excellent and most worthwhile petition.
This is a well-phrased criticism of the current western trend to self-righteous censorship groups in universities. Follow the example of the American University in Washington D.C.
coys
YIDDO.