Comments on: Academic freedom

By: Kevin O'Rourke

Kevin O'Rourke — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:42:54 +0000

A well-educated TCD colleague has pointed me to the following historical precedent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_McNeill_Whistler#Ruskin_trial

By: Pat Donnelly

Pat Donnelly — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:11:06 +0000

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/03/university-of-california-campus-erupts.html

The concept of a University and Academe in general, will be put under the microscope. The first ones with a new cheaper model will get the funds. I recall a few blowhards wanting US methods etc to e applied to the third level sector.

Anyone want to fess up?

By: toby

toby — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:15:08 +0000

Popular-science author Simon Singh was sued by the British Association of Chiropractors for being critical of their claims from a scientific perspective in a newspaper commentary article. A quite idiotic ruling from a judge helped his tormentors. Singh is being forced to raise a six-figure sum to defend himself.

http://skepticblog.org/2009/05/11/simon-singhs-libel-suit/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/jul/29/simon-singh-science-chiropractic-litigation

By: Ciaran Daly

Ciaran Daly — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:30:37 +0000

It shows the lack of importance given to the basic principle of freedom of speech in many European countries, including this one. Truly shocking.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:51:45 +0000

@Pat Donnelly - “Thank God we got rid of the law of blasphemy”

Er, we didn’t.

You’re nicked. Anything you say will be……

By: Pat Donnelly

Pat Donnelly — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:07:42 +0000

One of the casualties in the depression before this was free speech and this is becoming more obvious this time around. It ia also more important that latitude be reasonably given in view of the http://WWW.

Thank God we got rid of the law of blasphemy!

By: David O'Donnell

David O'Donnell — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:34:18 +0000

@Ciarán

Ta for that. I’ve had worse meself in high infants. I’ve written far tougher on the work of high adults.

By: Kevin O’Rourke

Kevin O’Rourke — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:31:55 +0000

@Donal: yes, as a former editor of the European Review of Econnomic History I sent a message of support as requested. I have also let a few colleagues know about it, since economic history has produced some particularly snarky book reviews in recent history, and these might usefully be added to the dossier.

By: Ciarán O’Hagan

Ciarán O’Hagan — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:19:13 +0000

This is the review in question it seems
http://www.globallawbooks.org/reviews/detail.asp?id=298

By: Donal O'Brolchain

Donal O'Brolchain — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:54:40 +0000

@Kevin
Thanks for that.

Have you responded to Prof Joe Weiler’s request for assistance?
Are you organising others eg. IFUT to provide the kind of assistance he sought?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:30:55 +0000

The saddest part about this is the amount of money that will be wasted that could otherwise have gone towards academic pursuits. Juvenile on the part of the academic.

By: Michael Hennigan - Finfacts

Michael Hennigan - Finfacts — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:30:01 +0000

“It may cause harm to my professional reputation and academic promotion.”

Damn right it should, for seeking to censor a critical review.

Affligeant et pathétique!

By: Oliver Vandt

Oliver Vandt — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:28:41 +0000

@Kevin O’Rourke
Academic freedom and press freedom need to be cherished. I can’t help feeling the the investigations into The Irish Times and now into The Evening Herald give the establishment an axe to wave over the heads of the press. The longer the investigation drags on the more control they can maintain.

By: Al

Al — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:26:38 +0000

I should be less glib.

Surely Academic Freedom isnt something that the world owes to academics. Rather it is something that the Academic owes the world and would value more than potential consequences of truth telling, also known as parrhesia.

Such parrhesia has been witnessed in this country on nama etc.

IMO, the situation is low on the richter scale. Academics in other parts the world have to worry about much worse.

The Gentleman in question is of course being tested, and should be supported, but being tested, but is this dreadful in itself?

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:24:57 +0000

It does seem to be a bit of a storm in an academic tea cup.

“Dear Dr. Calvo-Goller (Dear Karin)
Thank you for your letter of June 12th.
Since we have known each other for many years and have been friends I would like first to make some personal comments.”

Weiler’s response seems, to a non-lawyer, very considered.

“You will also, of course, understand that publication of a book review, negative or positive, does not mean that the Editor agrees, one way or another, with the review in question. One does not read all the books that come in for review and inevitably one relies on academic citizenship and self policing for the integrity of the enterprise, otherwise, again, book reviewing, so central to academia and the profession would not be sustainable.
It is a very extreme request to ask for a critical review to be removed. I could imagine acceding to such a request only in most egregious circumstances of, say, bad faith, conflict of interest etc.”

I think Calvo-Goller will drop the case and if not will lose.

By: David O'Donnell

David O'Donnell — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:18:46 +0000

Can’t possibly, under any circumstances, see a French Court - even for a Sorbonne graduate - supporting such a case to the slightest extent. Hell hath no greater fury … etc The Left Bank will have a field day …………

By: Al

Al — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:53:46 +0000

Me thinks the lady doth protest too much!

Dissension with the senate rather than barbarians at the gate.

Surely, this will sort it self out.