Moral Complicity in Genocide

Posted on February 22, 2007
Filed Under Philosophy, Politics, Teaching |

There is a foul moral odor rising from the University of Chicago. And it is not the first time. The decision not to divest holdings in Sudan — a paltry million dollars worth — is a disgusting administrative decision that turns out to be simply one more such in a long tradition of moral blindness. The idea that “academic freedom” requires universities to pretend to some sort of weird Platonic neutrality in the face of genocide is . . . words fail.

How is this different from the peckerwood Arizona State Senator who wants to fine & fire professors who take political positions? Or serve as expert witnesses? Or simply do their jobs?