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December 06, 2005
Great Observations on Conservatives and Academia
Having attended two of the most liberal colleges in the country, I certainly can agree with this sentiment:
Because of their minority status it is far more difficult for conservative students to entertain the illusion that all smart people think like them. They are exposed to many obviously bright young men and women whose opinions on almost every issue vary radically from their own. . . .
Being forced to recognize that there are different points of view helps make bright young conservatives such good debaters. They learn early on the limited persuasiveness of shouting at someone with whom they disagree, "You're an idiot." Of necessity they have to develop the ability to cast their arguments in ways that appeal to those starting from very different premises. . . .
Liberals can be wonderful people, and boon companions, but they often have a hard time dealing with people of opposing views--especially when they cannot dismiss them out of hand as idiots. Too often they have spent their entire adult lives surrounded almost entirely by those who think just like them, and it comes naturally to dismiss those of other views as intellectually or morally challenged.
Take a moment and browse through our comments sections and witness this truth.
Posted by Aaron at December 6, 2005 08:21 PM
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Comments
When considering the truth, take careful note that on the other side of the coin, the Rinos/necons have their own way of dimissing views that they don't agree with. Dissenters are either traitors or Atheists take your pick. Dissenters either deserve to be shot, or deserve to burn in Hell.
Posted by: KeithS at December 7, 2005 12:55 PM
The Liberals think the Conservatives are evil.
The Conservatives think the Liberals are naive.
I, for one, think that the role of the Loyal Opposition is critical in any democratic government. I wish we had one.
Posted by: jreid at December 7, 2005 06:51 PM
I think you're right, and because of that I often wonder about the wisdom of hoping that Colleges and Universities become more Conservative.
The question is whether Conservatives are by nature better at constructing logical arguments, or if the current arse-whooping of Liberals is a function of the constant opposition you describe.
I happen to think that it's both, since Conservative positions are just more logical in the first place (hehe), but I don't discount the influence of being constantly surrounded by people with dissenting views...and being in the minority.
So I say: Live on, liberal universities! Help keep Conservatism lean and mean!
Posted by: Tom at December 9, 2005 11:00 AM