printable version'Drowning out unpopular' perspectives at Stanford is counterproductive
Professor Emeritus Philip Zimbardo et al blame Donald Rumsfeld and other Bush administration officials for the Abu Ghraib abuses, but opposing Rumsfeld's appointment to the Hoover Institution fails the university mission. What is happening to our university where an open examination of issues and policies that are not always popular is no longer encouraged? Stanford teaches classes that assess Marxism and Nazi Germany, but now professors and others propagate a fascist view of limiting dialogue, drowning out unpopular or conservative viewpoints. It is counterproductive for our professors to replace one variation of fascist philosophy with another (their own) and still be a renowned research university.
Zimbardo, who published The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil, may discover that Rumsfeld isn't so intellectually challenged or fascist. I suggest that Zimbardo conduct research toward the understanding of "good" and entitle his book The God Effect: Understanding How Bad People Turn Good. Our renowned psychologist's hubris embraces rehabilitation programs in our prison system.
Jack Kirkpatrick, MLA '95
Redwood City