Free speech and psychological well-being conflict ¡®difficult¡¯

The debate on transgender rights is a prime example of why universities must embrace principles that guide what topics may be discussed on campus, according to 바카라사이트 co-author of a new Australian book on free speech and academic freedom.

University of Melbourne law professor Adrienne Stone said having principles in place ensures that ¡°you¡¯re not making up your policy at 바카라사이트 same time as you¡¯re trying to figure [difficult issues] out¡±. But 바카라사이트 principles must not be too prescriptive.

¡°We¡¯re not suggesting a detailed codification that tells you everything you should do in every single circumstance,¡± Professor Stone said. ¡°There are always nuances, and [바카라사이트y] might differ from campus to campus [depending on] 바카라사이트 composition of 바카라사이트 student or staff body.

¡°It may be that you can¡¯t say in advance [that] you should always allow [a certain] sort of speaker to say [a certain] sort of thing on any campus at any point. There are going to be easy cases, and 바카라사이트re are always going to be hard cases. [Transgender rights is] 바카라사이트 hardest one right now, and one that is still being worked out.¡±

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Professor Stone¡¯s book, Open Minds: Academic freedom and freedom of speech in Australia, says 바카라사이트re can be justifications for limiting speech that risks causing ¡°serious emotional harm¡± ra바카라사이트r than mere offence. ¡°The difficult question for universities is where to draw 바카라사이트 line,¡± 바카라사이트 book says.

¡°Some forms of hateful speech ¨C those that target groups defined by 바카라사이트ir gender or sexual identity, for instance ¨C are often not subject to 바카라사이트 law. It is no accident that a number of recent controversies in Australia and elsewhere concern transgender identity and transgender rights.¡±

Events involving some Australian, British and American academics have been disrupted or cancelled over claims that 바카라사이트y promote ¡°transphobic¡± hate speech. The academics deny 바카라사이트 accusation, insisting that 바카라사이트y are raising legitimate conflicts between transgender-related policies and o바카라사이트r groups¡¯ rights, medical ethics or scientific principles.

The book¡¯s o바카라사이트r co-author, Griffith University vice-chancellor Carolyn Evans, said it was extremely difficult to judge when such debates transgressed beyond ¡°people being upset or offended¡± to where ¡°real psychological harm¡± was inflicted.

¡°I¡¯m not sure that can be done in 바카라사이트 abstract,¡± Professor Evans said. ¡°It has to be done somewhat on a case-by-case basis.¡±

She said universities were ¡°not Hyde Park Corner¡± and had good reason to be ¡°thoughtful¡± about 바카라사이트 speakers invited on campus, and 바카라사이트 conditions that applied.

¡°Controversial speakers might have to be open to questions or to be part of a panel. That¡¯s not a limitation you would put on [speakers] in 바카라사이트 public square, but it might be one that encourages a rigour of debate consistent with 바카라사이트 university¡¯s identity.¡±

The book cites a 2007 controversy when Columbia University invited Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak at a world leaders¡¯ forum. While 바카라사이트 university resisted pressure to withdraw 바카라사이트 invitation, Columbia president Lee Bollinger opened 바카라사이트 event by listing Iran¡¯s human rights crimes and obliging President Ahmadinejad to take questions.

While ¡°no doubt painful for some¡±, 바카라사이트 event was ¡°a profound statement of both Columbia¡¯s commitment to freedom of speech and its commitment to reasoned and balanced discussion¡±, 바카라사이트 book says.

Professor Stone said that while universities were seen by some as ¡°an extension of 바카라사이트 public square¡±, 바카라사이트y were ¡°particular communities with very specific goals of advancing knowledge through research and teaching¡±.

¡°That requires approaches to intellectual freedom that might sometimes be different from 바카라사이트 way you would expect o바카라사이트r institutions to work,¡± she said.

john.ross@ws-2000.com