Of Universities, Political Statements, and the Soul of the West

“The School of Athens” fresco by Renaissance artist Raphael depicting the Platonic Academy, a famous school in ancient Athens founded by the philosopher Plato in the early 4th century B.C. In the center are Plato and Aristotle, in discussion. Public Domain

Commentary

It has become increasingly common for university presidents to issue position statements regarding current political and social affairs. More often than not, I find myself in disagreement with the substance of these institutional statements.