A former Portland State University professor argues that the current state of higher education has been "hijacked by idealogues," leading to anti-Israel protests and a decline in academic discourse and critical thinking.
Over a hundred anti-Israel protestors staged a mass walkout at Yale's commencement ceremony, holding banners and flags in protest. This incident is part of a troubling trend of protests disrupting graduation ceremonies across the country, prompting concerns about the state of higher education in the United States.
Dr. Peter Boghossian, a former Portland State University professor, spoke out about the issue in an interview with Amala Ekpunobi, expressing his belief that the protests are the result of woke ideologies indoctrinated into curriculums across the country.
"I don't want people going to an institution, students thinking that they're going to get an education, but they're not getting an education - what they're doing is that they're becoming further steeped or indoctrinated into beliefs that are untethered to reality," Boghossian said.
He elaborated by explaining how the current educational environment fosters a sense of moral certainty and a belief in having the right answers, leading to the suppression of dissenting opinions. This indoctrination undermines the purpose of education and creates an atmosphere of intolerance and groupthink.
To illustrate his point, Boghossian cited his experience submitting "totally deranged" academic papers with colleagues to expose the hijacking of entire lines of literature by ideologues. The submission of a paper titled "The Conceptual Penis as a Social Construct" led to Boghossian being labeled a "transphobe" and further highlighting the suppression of critical thought.
Boghossian expressed pessimism about the American educational system, particularly the K-12 system, where teachers are credentialed by ideologues in universities before teaching. He emphasized the influence of cartel-like accreditation bodies that perpetuate the problem.
While acknowledging the desire of students to address disparities in the world, Boghossian stressed the importance of ensuring that moral impulses are informed correctly. He attributed the current state of affairs to the takeover of the educational system by a small group of ideologues.
Boghossian's analysis suggests a direct correlation between the lack of dialogue and discourse in educational institutions and the rise of violent protests. He argued that when conversations are suppressed, students and faculty resort to violence as the only means of expressing their grievances.
Boghossian's comments echo the broader concerns that the pursuit of ideological purity in academic circles is undermining the principles of free speech and open inquiry. He expressed his belief that the consequences of this indoctrination will continue to manifest, resulting in a decline in intellectual rigor and a loss of faith in higher education.
Boghossian's warnings serve as a reminder of the importance of fostering critical thinking and intellectual diversity in academia. The disruption of college campuses by protests is a symptom of a deeper problem within the educational system, and it is essential to address the underlying causes to ensure the preservation of academic freedom and the pursuit of truth.
