NationStates Jolt Archive

If it is, why? If it isn't, why not?

http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php?id=56a4b06e77oshwaiq5psszuc2gti5neb

Well I am still trying to wonder why a liberal or a conservative can teach math, physics or computer science better? ;)

Humanties and social sciences?

Don't many conservatives consider that a waste of time? ;)

That is where people think. And if you really think about it, how can you not think left? :) right? Left is Right, which is Left :headbang:

That is where people think. And if you really think about it, how can you not think left? :) right? Left is Right, which is Left :headbang:
That seems about right. What you said about the left that is... right?
Anyway, I'm yet to locate any real bias in my professors at Queen's, but then again, a person can give an objective lecture without his opinion becoming apparent, right? Of course, this article is talking mostly about American schools, eh? A lack of diversity in opinions can be a bad thing, because I think it helps for a person to have his beliefs questioned once in a while (Part of the reason I'm friends with people I hate).

This is an American problem, but I'm not sure about European higher eductation. It is most prevalent in the humanities and social sciences, which are often required as part of the core curriculum.

The solution is to be neither left nor right. Meander. :)

We need quotas for conservative academics at American Universities!

Bit like affermative action, but for cons.

We need quotas for conservative academics at American Universities!

Bit like affermative action, but for cons.

You can call it; Negative Action. :D

The solution is to be neither left nor right. Meander. :)
would that be right? then what is left? .......... Still, the tension between those may well be the only debate fuel almost everyone can use. Nevertheless, a University staffed with centrists only....a truly mindboggling idea.

I would love an evenly split academia...and watch them battle it out.

would that be right? then what is left? .......... Still, the tension between those may well be the only debate fuel almost everyone can use. Nevertheless, a University staffed with centrists only....a truly mindboggling idea.

Not centrists.

For instance, is someone who is Pro-choice, but Pro-death penalty a centrist?

What about someone is is Pro-life and Anti-death penalty?

What I'm saying is that intellectuals should be the first people able to break away from party rhetoric and decide for themselves where they stand on each issue instead of succumbing to the flow of popular opinion.

What I'm saying is that intellectuals should be the first people able to break away from party rhetoric and decide for themselves where they stand on each issue instead of succumbing to the flow of popular opinion.

The problem is that the majority of them are married to a specific orthodoxy.

my school definitly favors more conservative profs, but then again we arn't really supposed to discuss politics

Which is precisely what I find offensive in an instructor.

Easy solution: If you are afraid of experiencing a liberal bias in college, don't go to college. Simple.

my school definitly favors more conservative profs, but then again we arn't really supposed to discuss politics

What are you studying????????

Easy solution: If you are afraid of experiencing a liberal bias in college, don't go to college. Simple.

Brilliant solution! I don't know why others hadn't thought of that!

what academy?

what academy?

Academics, higher education....

I once had a Liberterian for one compuer science course. He was such an ass. Knew his stuff but would only pay attention to the A students.

Horrible teacher.

Brilliant solution! I don't know why others hadn't thought of that!

Seems logical.

Wolf!!!! I'm totally serious this time, really!!! Wolf, RIGHT OVER THERE......


I know you guys are winning right now, but man-change the tune every now and then.......

What are you studying????????

Military Strategic Studies

I once had a Liberterian for one compuer science course. He was such an ass. Knew his stuff but would only pay attention to the A students.

Horrible teacher.


For some odd reason, there seems to be tons of libertarians in IT. Well at least a disproportionate number of libertarians.

pardon my curiosity, Zorntopia, why are you not supposed to discuss politics? Seems relevant... :confused:

pardon my curiosity, Zorntopia, why are you not supposed to discuss politics? Seems relevant... :confused:

Mainly because I attend a military academy, all my instructors are military officers, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice we can't openly question the competance of persons in our chain of command because it breads disorder and is bad for unit cohesion, the President is Commander and Cheif and holds positions on political issues, those positions are largely a matter of public record; disagreeing with those positions can be seen as questioning competancy ( I know there are alot of logical disconects, but I only have two years left and I don't feel like being promoted to airman first class so...)
In general, we avoid the subject.

Mainly because I attend a military academy, all my instructors are military officers, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice we can't openly question the competance of persons in our chain of command because it breads disorder and is bad for unit cohesion, the President is Commander and Cheif and holds positions on political issues, those positions are largely a matter of public record; disagreeing with those positions can be seen as questioning competancy ( I know there are alot of logical disconects, but I only have two years left and I don't feel like being promoted to airman first class so...)
In general, we avoid the subject.

If I might ask a hypothetical question then? One that does perhaps cross the line on the subject? Feel free not to answer or tell me it crosses the line btw.

If the actions of a commanding officer directly contravene the conventions of warfare (ie ordering suicide attacks, illegal actions such as killing of civilians, etc), what actions ARE a soldier or officer allowed to take?

Are you allowed to take steps to prevent such actions or are they allowed to disobey such an order?

By extension, what if an commander officer shows incompetence or negligence in carrying out their duties? Including if their incompetence/negligence results in avoidable casualties? What then?

I earnestly ask these questions and hope for your reply.

...zzz...znort! Wha? Ummm...the bias of the...zzz...*yawn* It's the favour of the...thing that I read...that I need a cup of coffee. Badly.

...zzz...

It sounds like American universities do have a problem in being too left-leaning.

A few possible factors:

* American conservatives often seem to be rather anti-intellectual, particularly Republicans.

* Liberals are so marginalized in the wider American mainstream, that they naturally seek out safe sanctuaries for their ideas. In the mainstream media, the right constantly attacks liberals in scorched-earth "political discussion". Liberals are made to feel unpatriotic just because they're not hawks, or if they're said to be insufficiently anti-communist. "Liberal" itself is even a dirty word!

I see a correlation. Liberals who want to make it bigtime go into science because science is for progress, especially of itself. Conservatives that want to do the same go into money making, and as such want stability, so as to keep their money. Above is not a flamebait, it is true- the salary of a Professor is lower than that of a business man that has had the same level of success (Professor= person who finished school well, college well, grad school well, and wrote a good dissertation). Scientists then become even more liberal, especially astronomers and such, while businessmen get richer and want their tax cut (which is natural) and as such more conservative. Perfectly natural.

I see a correlation. Liberals who want to make it bigtime go into science because science is for progress, especially of itself. Conservatives that want to do the same go into money making, and as such want stability, so as to keep their money. Above is not a flamebait, it is true- the salary of a Professor is lower than that of a business man that has had the same level of success (Professor= person who finished school well, college well, grad school well, and wrote a good dissertation). Scientists then become even more liberal, especially astronomers and such, while businessmen get richer and want their tax cut (which is natural) and as such more conservative. Perfectly natural.
Actually I'd say that being in an academic science post is quite a bit more stable than being a businessman. Unless the businessman is getting corporate welfare, and as a Republican voter he probably is. ;)