"A Place Dedicated to Openness of Mind": Why Academic Freedom Protects "Distasteful" Extramural Speech

Abstract

Abstract: This article explains why academic freedom protects "distasteful" extramural speech, including social media posts outside of a scholar's area of expertise. Initially, I explain why using the First Amendment to protect academic freedom jeopardizes the latter. Next, I describe how German philosophers and American pragmatists expounded academic freedom to protect a community of strong-willed scholars. Then, I note that the AAUP has backed away from defending the Enlightenment-Romantic conception of the good supporting academic freedom. Finally, I argue that academic freedom should protect both Plato and Diogenes, polite and confrontational scholars.