The last vestiges of the once impressive institution known as the “university” are disappearing as our culture continues to crumble. Perhaps it is poetic justice, since the universities themselves have been a central cause of the cultural collapse that is burying them.
The recent riots at the University of California at Berkeley and on other campuses are the result of a decades-long process that has increasingly sought to silence opinions or facts that are at odds with liberalism. Most universities have become indoctrination centers that tolerate little if any dissent. Ideas are not considered. Rather, the usual approach is that of excoriating dissent from liberal or progressive orthodoxy with ad hominem attacks, calling those who disagree bigoted, intolerant, hateful, or (fill-in-the-blank)-phobic.
The discussion and critique of different ideas is a proper notion in a university, but more often today, the person or group holding an opposing idea is attacked, stereotyped, or ridiculed. Protests are a long tradition on college campuses, but protests were once held to show opposition to a speech as it was actually happening or to the ideas that were being presented. Now, protests are aimed at preventing speeches from occurring or ideas from being articulated.
This, of course, is completely counter to what universities should be doing. Once upon a time, young people were sent off to college in order to expand their minds. Ideas from widely divergent positions would be presented and critiqued using principles of philosophy, theology, logic, history, and science. Even Catholic universities, which existed to hand on the faith, would ponder all sorts of views while also vigorously defending or critiquing them based on Catholic teaching. The point of a college education was to become aware of the wider world and to be trained in critical thinking.
Today, most college campuses are a witch’s brew of hypersensitivities, political correctness, language police, “safe zones,” and all sorts of intolerance masquerading as “diversity” and “inclusiveness.” Despite the talk, though, such settings are anything but diverse or inclusive, when one considers the increasing list of views and topics that are banished.
This problem has been growing for decades and it is evidence of what Pope Benedict XVI called the “tyranny of relativism.” When we can no longer point to a reality or a set of truths that all can agree upon as first principles, a struggle ensues that cannot be resolved with an appeal to reason. The one who prevails is not the one who is best able to appeal to reason or principles, but rather the one who has the most power, money, or influence, or the one who shouts the loudest or is better able to intimidate. In this way, relativism has led to the kind of tyranny we see on college campuses today.
Add to this a strangely opposite “daintiness,” such that people are offended by even the most modest rebuttals. “Safe zones” that proliferate on campuses presuppose some sort of deep psychological damage caused by being exposed to different or challenging ideas, and that there exists some sort of right not be offended or challenged. Not only is this fanciful, it is poor training for life.
This has been brewing for decades and has turned universities into exactly the opposite of what they are supposed to be.
In the world of Catholic universities, a line was crossed in 1967 at the Land O’ Lakes conference, at which the assembled leaders of Catholic institutions of higher learning concluded that Catholic identity and faith were inimical to “academic freedom.” As a result, the large majority of Catholic universities shifted to secular models that were not merely neutral to the faith, but often hostile to it.
Universities first began emerging during the high water mark of Christendom, in the 12th and 13th centuries. Perhaps the greatest example of what universities once were can be seen in St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. It contains a pondering of the great questions of that time. A premise or idea is stated, objections are set forth, voices from antiquity are quoted, a response is presented, and then each objection is respectfully answered. As a genre, the “summa” is a kind of written summary of academic debates common among the students and teachers of the day. At the time, it was recognized that the quest for the truth is often facilitated by lively debate, interaction, and ongoing discussion. Even ideas that one opposed were helpful because they assisted in refining one’s own view and better articulating it.
Young people once emerged from universities acquainted with the great ideas, equipped with the skills to critique ideas and philosophies, and educated in both Latin and Greek. It was not a perfect system, but it edified and expanded the students; it gave them the tools to engage in critical thinking.
Such an atmosphere seems long gone on most college campuses today. Rather than expanding the students’ universe of ideas, it has narrowed them. Many young people emerge from their college experience less mature and less prepared for life than when they entered. In fact, many universities today do precisely the opposite of what they were founded to do. The horrifying moral atmosphere that exists on most campuses is another dagger to the life of the mind and to proper human formation and maturity. To be sure there are exceptions, Catholic and non-Catholic, but they are rare jewels among the rubble.
It is a very sad situation, with only a few exceptions that shine brightly in an otherwise bleak sky. Be sober, fellow Catholics. Search diligently for those universities that still fulfill their mission to raise up young adults to higher and better things.
From Community in Mission blog; article by Monsignor Charles Pope.
Very familiar with the Berkeley professional protestors, most of whom were not/are not UC students. “Black Rock” people—the black-clad, masked, baton-wielding, violent rioters @ 2/1/17 “Milo” riot—are professional, coordinated thugs. Having seen them up close, they are men usually in their 30’s-older. According to gatewaypundit.com, at least one of them was exposed as a UC employee (I guess he got off early that day), a man in his 50’s, who bragged about beating bloody the pro-Milo individual he and a dozen others cornered:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/02/uc-berkeley-thug-beat-conservative-bragged-online-university-staff-member/
Oh: and the Black Rock people and their affiliates at the “Milo” 2/1/17 riot —those unmasked at least—are the same (some of them at least) as Occupy! and BLM thugs at SF, Oakland and Berkeley riot-events. Have recognized them.
They are—nearly all of them—not college students, the latter who have a life, a focus, and have a full and productive life ahead of them. But I would bet they get a check from Open Society Foundation…routed thru a lot of front groups, of course.
Campion, these groups are anti-American, and have been operating for decades, unfortunately! It is too bad that we do not have a legitimate, legal way, to stop them! The best way to stop them, is to educate Americans, to value our traditional American culture, and to re-establish good manners ad morals, our traditional American cultural way of life, grounded in faith in God, and our Biblically-based beliefs and values. Then, such anarchists would be truly unwanted, unpopular, and run out of every American city, by good people, with a good moral conscience! P.S. I think the young “Milo,” (who says he is Catholic!) is too radical, manipulative, and basically immature. He should give his talk– and be ignored.
If this young “Milo” says to a reporter, in the news– that he is a “good, practicing Catholic”– why is he reported to make cruel and racist comments, to others? Our Lord (Who was Jewish!! and “Milo” is half-Jewish!) would not like to see His follower be cruel to others!
I know that Our Lord would be very hurt, by anti-Semites, and white supremacists. He and His Most Blessed Mother would want to convert such errant people, to the True Faith– and save their souls! Perhaps the young “Milo,” is a deeply troubled man, to begin with, and perhaps being gay, does not help. Nevertheless, he ought to give his talk– and be ignored, by those not interested. Perhaps he is simply given too much publicity, with too much sensationalism. Kids need to go to college to study hard– and their hard-working parents pay for their educations! Forget the radical idiots on the campus!
Now what is happening is that the 9th Kangaroo Court of Appeals (sorry, “Circuit Court”) and Federal District Judge in Seattle, Judge James Robart, allege they are receiving “threats”.
Now, given the tenor of things, and how there has been no denunciation of violence by self-acknowledged left groups, like Ronald Cruz and BAMN, “Black Rock”, “Occupy”, and Black Lives Matter, the only surprise is that they are surprised.
If anyone is truly threatening them, that is wrong: but where has been the political leadership (and church leadership) denouncing the previous one-sided perpetration of violence against non-Leftists? Silence as always.
I think violence is rarely if ever justified or even desirable in these situations. I think if you follow Representative Lewis, he is always talking up a non-violent approach to resistance, and that is the option that most of our people choose. One of the problems with violence is that a handful or a dozen people can wreak havoc on an otherwise peaceful demonstration of thousands of people. I’m not quite convinced that all of the violence has come from the left. Certainly the president encouraged violence at his earlier campaign rallies.
Fellow Catholic: “violence is rarely if ever justified or even desirable in these situations.”
Sounds like violence, even if rarely, can be justified. Is that what he meant?
Good to know: if on this rare occasion I wish to pursue violence, then, Hoo-rah! (I guess.)
Very good article! I might add, that prior to the highly destructive 1960s, there exited a much higher, and far more mature intellectual level, in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding the world around us– whether or not you eve graduated from high school!– in our Nation. You might be able to see this, if you read books, magazines, newspapers, old letters from friends or family members, school publications, work-related or charity organization-related newsletters, church bulletins, etc., prior to the mid-1960s. I MISS this much-better level of living and communicating! We have truly entered another “Dark Ages,” since the filthy, grotesque, destructive, radical, anarchistic, dope-and-sex-infested, liberal-leftist 1960s!
The original intention of a university, was higher education for certain intellectual students requiring it. It was not for everyone. Certainly not a place for the ignorant to “party” and goof off! It is supposed to be a place of classical education, in which the serious student studies a great deal, achieves a great deal academically, and has much to offer in his or her field, after graduation. Most education, in America, for practical students– traditionally used to be accomplished, by graduation from the eighth grade. A high school diploma finished you. Then, a few intellectuals went on to college. The rest ran farms, entered the work force, got married soon, and were busy raising families, and helping their communities.
All of our American colleges and universities, either state-run or church-run, used to have a strict, Judeo-Christian-based Code of Ethics, with good behaviors of students and teachers, expected of all! You could be expelled, or terminated, for violating these rules. When I went to college, and lived in the dorms, girls had to sign in and sign out, wear dresses everywhere, and we had lights out, at 10p.m.– with bed checks! We were protected from disruptive behaviors, and helped to be serious, to grow and mature, and to study, and to make our grades, and do well. Good character was once highly valued, in either church or state-run schools, and was an important part of one’s education!
Catholic schools like the Jesuit-run USF, or LMU (formerly all-boys schools), or state-run schools, like UC Berkeley– were very different, prior to the 1960s. Quiet, heavily academic– extremely well-respected! With more mature students and faculty! What a shame, that the evils of the 1960s, with cheap, trivial, non-intellectual, immoral, useless, entertainment-oriented pop culture, and anarchist “kooks” with no brains (hippies), as well as dangerous leftist extremists, were allowed to ignorantly destroy our schools! Sadly, the Fathers of our Country, who prized legitimate freedoms– did not have a way to stop such dangerous nonsense, when they crafted our Nation!
It is also a terrible mistake, to split up everyone in the American home, into different “cultures.” A “culture” of maturity for parents and older folks, and an immature “culture” for kids, is a horrible mistake! No, everyone should be one, big, happy family, all trying hard to live by our treasured American Judeo-Christian morality– “Do unto others…” with lots of love, humility, togetherness, hard work, responsibility, kindness, listening, respect, and acceptance, to make a good home, and a better world! With young people respecting their elders, and their elders helping them, with love. I think that is how Our Lord wants us to live!
Sorry for a misprint, in my Feb. 8 post, of 4:16p.m.! The end of the first line should read, “…there existed…”
The reason universities are dying across America and the western world is because they are the reflection of a dying and morally bankrupt society. They have become the so called modern day indoctrination camps that spring up whenever nations become tyrannies and totalitarianism societies. Freedom of religious expression are silenced quickly and I fear in the very near future they will be silenced violently unless we elect leaders that protect these freedoms. Let us all turn to God because only God can change this culture of death. Remember your founding motto In God We Trust. Parents should think long and hard with spending their hard earned savings to send their children to so called institutions of higher learning. People of…
The violent protesters at UC Berkeley are not students at UC Berkeley. My nephew, who is a graduate student at UC Berkeley, told me the protesters were part of an alt. right group hired to stir things up and make the University look bad.
George: “the protesters were part of an alt. right group hired to stir things up and make the University look bad.” Right, George, good narrative.
Except read the facts noted above. Ronald Cruz of BAMN, one of the violent radical-left protest groups associated with “Black Rock” is self-admittedly a violent leftist, who has proudly taken credit for the 2/1/17 Milo riots:
https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/02/08/berkeley-riot-organizers-say-lawbreaking-was-justified-to-shut-down-milos-1st-amendment-rights/
I have seen Black Rock and BAMN up close and I agree—they aren’t Berkeley students (could be 1 or 2 dead-enders but doubtful)—but to try your Reichstag moment on “the alt-right” is pure false narrative. They are…
openly violent leftists. Own it. Admit it. Face it. Why don’t you condemn it, by the way?
BAMN/Black Rock/Occupy! go back a long way: 2014 article from Berkeleyside.com, where Cruz claimed “Riots are the voice of the unheard”, and writer Diane Emmett noted “Remember that BAMN is willing to lie to manipulate people into potentially violent situations, ..”
https://www.berkeleyside.com/2014/12/14/op-ed-bamns-protest-plans-calculated-to-cause-violence/
Face the truth, George: and condemn the violence of the left, wont you?
People who deliberately incite violence, regardless of their “reasons”— are ignorant CRIMINALS!! They ought to be in JAIL!! Their phony organizations should all be broken up ad disintegrated!!
Sorry for the misprint in my post, above! The last line should read, “..and disintegrated!”
Conclusion to my post…People of America convert and repent! Pray America Pray!
Academentia is a feeding trough for those PHD (Piled Higher and Deeper) with bigoted ignorant MISANDRY – the Hatred of Men & Boys, Masculinity & Normal Heterosexuality – like the viciously Anti-Catholic bastion of radical gender feminist / homosex indoctrination at Santa Clara ‘university’
Because Books and Professors were scarce, Colleges provided a relatively safe central repository of Knowledge (if not Wisdom) where students could share resource
Quality Distance Learning via the net has changed that.
Why pay to warm an expensive chair with student loans – just to enrich a pompous pedantic poseur PC Mafia entrenched in the faculty lounge, whose grading is based on regurgitating partisan political propaganda
The Church is in a downward free fall heading for ALMOST destruction. Abandoned colleges, seminaries, monasteries, schools, orphanages, convents, rectories, and churches are found all over. This is not the sign of a healthy, vibrant Church. Catholics are the largest religion in the Americas and in Europe, and the second largest religion is FORMER CATHOLICS. Why have they left ? Vatican II,, whose fruits are decay and rotten.
Comrades, is perhaps good thing – that such teaching depravity universities – disappear
from face of earth. No?
Santa Clara – where Catholics are Hated and Misandrist Hatred Celebrated
SEE
Campus Conservative Group Rejected Because It Makes Liberal Students Feel ‘Unsafe’
https://dailycaller.com/2017/02/06/campus-conservative-group-rejected-because-it-makes-liberal-students-feel-unsafe-video/#ixzz4YE1LZId0
The student senate at Santa Clara University rejected a petition to form a campus chapter of Turning Points USA, a conservative activism group, because opponents of the group complained that its presence would make them feel “unsafe” — and because of the “mood” on campus since Donald Trump was elected president.
A full-time school employee also primed Santa Clara student senators with a lengthy PowerPoint presentation associating Turning…
Great observation, Herman: the 2nd largest religious group is comprised of “Former Catholics”.
And very sad.
All because of the ignorant Fathers of Vatican II’s erroneous beliefs in “freedom,” with no demand nor request, for commitment to the Faith and Morals of our Church! Plus– abandonment of Church leadership and government, worldwide, starting with the Pope! Very irresponsible and ignorant!!