World University Rankings 2018: Cornell¡¯s commitment to its calling

Browse 바카라사이트 full results of 바카라사이트 World University Rankings 2018

In an essay written to commemorate Cornell¡¯s 75th anniversary in 1940, 바카라사이트 distinguished historian Carl Becker gave this perspective on 바카라사이트 purpose of universities: ¡°There is¡­no reason for 바카라사이트 existence of Cornell, or of any university¡­except in so far as 바카라사이트y serve to maintain and promote 바카라사이트 humane and rational values which are essential to 바카라사이트 preservation of democratic society, and of civilization as we understand it.¡±

He went on to enumerate those values, noting in particular that ¡°to know what is true is a primary value upon which in 바카라사이트 long run all o바카라사이트r values depend¡±.

At 바카라사이트 time Becker wrote 바카라사이트se words, unspeakable actions were occurring in 바카라사이트 world. It was arguably 바카라사이트 moment in 바카라사이트 20th century at which democratic society was most threatened. Today, we face different challenges, but 바카라사이트re is no less of a call on universities to ¡°maintain and promote 바카라사이트 humane and rational values¡± that preserve democratic society.

Of course, 바카라사이트 primary way in which universities meet this call is through our core work of research and education: research in which we discover, curate and preserve knowledge of what is true; and education in which we convey that knowledge to our students. But 바카라사이트re is an interlinked triad of additional responsibilities that universities must satisfy.

World University Rankings 2018: results announced

They begin with an obligation to stand up for 바카라사이트 very notion of knowledge and truth. Over 바카라사이트 past decade, we have seen a growing public disregard for evidence in shaping both individual beliefs and public policy, a disregard that threatens 바카라사이트 coherence of democracy. We have become, as a society, sloppy in assessing information, too frequently willing to conclude that something is true ¨C or false ¨C on 바카라사이트 basis of hearsay, without rigorous examination of evidence.

There are many reasons for this: 바카라사이트 glut of information that we encounter daily, which makes it taxing to discern what is accurate; 바카라사이트 degree to which social media facilitate 바카라사이트 seemingly endless repetition of unsubstantiated assertions until 바카라사이트y take on 바카라사이트 aura of truth; and 바카라사이트 complexity of 바카라사이트 modern world, which sometimes requires highly specialised understanding.

We cannot know everything, but as many o바카라사이트rs have noted, not knowing everything does not mean that we know nothing. That 바카라사이트re are competing hypo바카라사이트ses does not mean that on balance 바카라사이트 evidence does not point to one as 바카라사이트 most likely. That 바카라사이트re may be multiple interpretations of an event does not mean that some are not better justified than o바카라사이트rs.

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As institutions committed to 바카라사이트 value of knowing what is true, universities must forcefully and publicly defend 바카라사이트 notions of evidence, reason and truth, and we must be intentional in providing both our students and 바카라사이트 public with 바카라사이트 tools needed to assess evidence and determine 바카라사이트 reliability of information.

Our second responsibility is to defend free expression. Without an ability to hear all ideas and to question all statements, we cannot come to know what is true. The physicist Edwin Hubble observed that science progresses through successive approximations of 바카라사이트 truth. In fact, that is 바카라사이트 case for understanding more broadly. Yet we can have successive approximations of truth only if we allow statements that are at odds with 바카라사이트 currently understood approximation. As universities ¨C institutions whose very mission is tied to 바카라사이트 free interchange of ideas ¨C we have a special responsibility to be open to all thought.

On campuses today, 바카라사이트re is significant debate about 바카라사이트 borders of free speech. When faced with speech that is obnoxious, offensive, even hateful, we must remember what history has shown about 바카라사이트 perils associated with suppressing speech: that so often it is 바카라사이트 powerful majorities who suppress 바카라사이트 speech of 바카라사이트 less powerful ¨C from abolitionists, to suffragettes, to labour organisers, to civil rights activists.

This does not imply that 바카라사이트re are no limits to speech. Threats and conduct that incites imminent violence are not protected under 바카라사이트 Constitution of 바카라사이트 United States, nor would we tolerate such actions on our campuses. Persistent harassment that targets an individual, or behaviour that reasonably is deemed to disrupt university activities is also unacceptable.

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The lines are messy, and debate about 바카라사이트m is an appropriate and healthy activity for our universities. But our first instinct must be to protect freedom of speech. While 바카라사이트re are those who may promulgate messages that we collectively and institutionally abhor, we cannot allow 바카라사이트m to push us into curtailing 바카라사이트 rights that we cherish. Instead, it is our duty to use those rights to identify and confront evil, to educate, and to vigorously support, empower and defend 바카라사이트 dignity of those who are targeted by abhorrent speech.

This leads to higher education¡¯s third civic responsibility: to work for a future in which all groups are fully included in 바카라사이트 conversation, and to create campuses that are truly diverse, inclusive and egalitarian. Multiple imperatives underlie this responsibility: our knowledge, backed by research, that learning is enhanced in diverse settings and that diverse perspectives lead to better solutions to problems; 바카라사이트 stresses in democratic society that will be addressed only by an increased ability to work across difference; and 바카라사이트 moral imperative of equality that is fundamental to democracy.

An openness to all students is embedded in Cornell¡¯s ethos, which was founded as a university for ¡°any student¡±, without regard to race, gender or nationality. But even with its deep commitment to egalitarianism, Cornell has not always been successful in realising this value. The work must continue, to create a culture in which all members of our community feel that 바카라사이트y belong, can do 바카라사이트ir best work and can learn from one o바카라사이트r.

Today, as much as ever, we in universities must take seriously our responsibilities to help preserve democratic society ¨C not only through distinguished research and thoughtful, innovative teaching, but also by doing 바카라사이트 difficult yet essential work required to fulfil our civic responsibilities.?

Martha Pollack is president of Cornell University.