Ernst Nolte

[Terrance]

Paul Mackin wrote:
> 
> On Fri, 23 Jun 2000, Spencer Thiel wrote:
> >
> > Am I the only one freaked out about all this?  Write a paper with such and
> 
> I think where you went wrong was in saying it was a violation of freedom
> of expression. It may however have been a violation of academic freedom,
> which is a less serious sin. In America, for example, professors are
> supposed to be able to advance any premise they want and still keep their
> jobs. Even tenured professors can   get fired for falling asleep in class
> but not for saying outlandish things.  I suspect Nolte's words were
> anathema not so much for being unreasonable as for being perceived as
> dangerous. Even the America Constitution doesn't allow you to shout fire
> in a crowded theatre. This type problem arises in places where there have
> been problems with antisemitism. In America nobody would bat much of an
> eye.
> 
> I don't say they should not have fired Nolte but that such firings are
> problematical academic-freedom-wise.
> 
>                         P.


Yes, well said, Paul. In the U.S. Academic Freedom is
restricted, like most everything else, only by the invisible
hand. What value does the study of Literature have? Why
study in the Humanities? Intrinsic value? Despite the fact
that my son recently received honors for Language Arts, I'll
send him to study Math this summer, thank you very much.