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Oxford professor's colonialism conference held in private for fear of disruption from activists
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Leroy N. Soetoro
Dec 26, 2018, 5:05:43 PM12/26/18
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2018/12/19/oxford-professor-had-
hold-academic-conference-inprivate-fear/
An Oxford University professor had to hold an academic conference in
private for fear of disruption from activists, it has emerged.
Earlier this year, Professor Nigel Biggar hosted a summit of historians,
economists and ethicists to discuss the legacy of colonialism, but the
invitation-only event took place behind closed doors.
The event was aimed at reflecting on the American political science
professor Bruce GiIley's controversial article, titled "The Case for
Colonialism", which argues that colonial rule was sometimes legitimate and
that post-colonial states would do better to nurture certain aspects of
their colonial legacy than discard them.
Prof Biggar said that he often holds such meetings in private because "the
quality of discussion is better with a small, hand-picked group". He said:
"But on this occasion [it was] also because I didn't want to risk activist
disruption."
He explained that another reason for holding the event in private was that
one young scholar would only attend on condition of anonymity, “lest his
attendance come to the attention of some of his senior colleagues and
“count it against his career”.
Prof Biggar, who is head of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and
Public Life, is currently leading a project on "Ethics and the Empire",
which analyses the impact of Britain's imperial past.
Academics launched a vociferous attack on him last year after he suggested
that people should have “pride” about aspects of their imperialist past.
He said that the history of the British Empire was "morally mixed" and
that "just like that of any nation state, then pride can temper shame".
Over 50 professors, lecturers and researchers signed an open letter
expressing their “firm rejection” of his views.
Prof Gilley, who attended event in May, said he understood why the event
was held in private, as "there is no point creating a spectacle, we wanted
to have a substantive discussion".
He told The Daily Telegraph: “Seeing Nigel close the door - it felt
medieval, as though we were monks during the dark ages.
"You always think as you walk into a conference room or a seminar room, 'I
hope lots of people come'. You always have an inclination towards
openness. Holding the event in secret struck me as the most bizarre
experience I ever had."
Referring to the chorus of disapproval from fellow academics about the
Ethics and the Empire project, he said: "I was disappointed and surprised
that the backbone of academic freedom seems to be weakening in Oxford".
A spokesman for Oxford University said: “We are wholly committed to
freedom of speech and encourage our students to debate and engage with a
wide range of viewpoints.
“The decision to hold the event in private was taken by the academic to
avoid the risk of disruption, and a notice of the event was published
online afterwards.”
A “controversial ideas” journal where researchers can publish articles
under pseudonyms will be launched next year by an Oxford University
academic.
Jeff McMahan, a professor of moral philosophy at Oxford, said the new
journal is a response to a rise in researchers being criticised and
silenced by those who disagree with them.
--
Donald J. Trump, 304 electoral votes to 227, defeated compulsive liar in
denial Hillary Rodham Clinton on December 19th, 2016. The clown car
parade of the democrat party ran out of gas and got run over by a Trump
truck.
Congratulations President Trump. Thank you for cleaning up the disaster
of the Obama presidency.
Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the
The World According To Garp.
ObamaCare is a total 100% failure and no lie that can be put forth by its
supporters can dispute that.
Obama jobs, the result of ObamaCare. 12-15 working hours a week at minimum
wage, no benefits and the primary revenue stream for ObamaCare. It can't
be funded with money people don't have, yet liberals lie about how great
it is.
Obama increased total debt from $10 trillion to $20 trillion in the eight
years he was in office, and sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood queer
liberal democrat donors.
--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---
hold-academic-conference-inprivate-fear/
An Oxford University professor had to hold an academic conference in
private for fear of disruption from activists, it has emerged.
Earlier this year, Professor Nigel Biggar hosted a summit of historians,
economists and ethicists to discuss the legacy of colonialism, but the
invitation-only event took place behind closed doors.
The event was aimed at reflecting on the American political science
professor Bruce GiIley's controversial article, titled "The Case for
Colonialism", which argues that colonial rule was sometimes legitimate and
that post-colonial states would do better to nurture certain aspects of
their colonial legacy than discard them.
Prof Biggar said that he often holds such meetings in private because "the
quality of discussion is better with a small, hand-picked group". He said:
"But on this occasion [it was] also because I didn't want to risk activist
disruption."
He explained that another reason for holding the event in private was that
one young scholar would only attend on condition of anonymity, “lest his
attendance come to the attention of some of his senior colleagues and
“count it against his career”.
Prof Biggar, who is head of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and
Public Life, is currently leading a project on "Ethics and the Empire",
which analyses the impact of Britain's imperial past.
Academics launched a vociferous attack on him last year after he suggested
that people should have “pride” about aspects of their imperialist past.
He said that the history of the British Empire was "morally mixed" and
that "just like that of any nation state, then pride can temper shame".
Over 50 professors, lecturers and researchers signed an open letter
expressing their “firm rejection” of his views.
Prof Gilley, who attended event in May, said he understood why the event
was held in private, as "there is no point creating a spectacle, we wanted
to have a substantive discussion".
He told The Daily Telegraph: “Seeing Nigel close the door - it felt
medieval, as though we were monks during the dark ages.
"You always think as you walk into a conference room or a seminar room, 'I
hope lots of people come'. You always have an inclination towards
openness. Holding the event in secret struck me as the most bizarre
experience I ever had."
Referring to the chorus of disapproval from fellow academics about the
Ethics and the Empire project, he said: "I was disappointed and surprised
that the backbone of academic freedom seems to be weakening in Oxford".
A spokesman for Oxford University said: “We are wholly committed to
freedom of speech and encourage our students to debate and engage with a
wide range of viewpoints.
“The decision to hold the event in private was taken by the academic to
avoid the risk of disruption, and a notice of the event was published
online afterwards.”
A “controversial ideas” journal where researchers can publish articles
under pseudonyms will be launched next year by an Oxford University
academic.
Jeff McMahan, a professor of moral philosophy at Oxford, said the new
journal is a response to a rise in researchers being criticised and
silenced by those who disagree with them.
--
Donald J. Trump, 304 electoral votes to 227, defeated compulsive liar in
denial Hillary Rodham Clinton on December 19th, 2016. The clown car
parade of the democrat party ran out of gas and got run over by a Trump
truck.
Congratulations President Trump. Thank you for cleaning up the disaster
of the Obama presidency.
Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the
The World According To Garp.
ObamaCare is a total 100% failure and no lie that can be put forth by its
supporters can dispute that.
Obama jobs, the result of ObamaCare. 12-15 working hours a week at minimum
wage, no benefits and the primary revenue stream for ObamaCare. It can't
be funded with money people don't have, yet liberals lie about how great
it is.
Obama increased total debt from $10 trillion to $20 trillion in the eight
years he was in office, and sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood queer
liberal democrat donors.
--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ne...@netfront.net ---
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