Richard Hofstadter, (1916-1970) American historian, professor Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Richard Hofstadter Quote “A university’s essential character is that of being a center of free inquiry and criticism – a thing not to be sacrificed for anything else.”Richard Hofstadter ~ Richard Hofstadter (1916-1970) American historian, professorCommencement Address, Columbia University, 1968. Dissent , Diversity , Education , Knowledge , Reason , Skepticism , Truth , Character Ratings and Comments Reply Mike, Norwalk 6/22/06 oops, that ain't hapnin anymore Reply Robert, Sarasota 6/22/06 Yes, and politics and religion should stay out of it, though its debate should stay in. Political and religious debate is healthy but a University's position should never take sides. Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA US 6/22/06 Reply Joe, Rochester, MI 6/22/06 It SHOULD be the center of free inquiry and criticism. Unfortunately, those who speak freely on unpopular issues tend to get fired. Firing those with unpopular views demonstrates the inaccuracy of this statement. Reply Anonymous 6/23/06 Reply Robert, St. Emilion, France 2/19/15 The sentiments of this quote need drastically to be revived... Students and faculty need to be proactive in bringing this about.... It must be achieved from within..... Reply Bob, Charlotte, VT 2/19/15 Joe of Rochester, MI: then there are those who have "tenure," which means regardless of how wild the precepts they teach, they CANNOT be fired. The phrase is "free inquiry," not dogma taught by those who feel they are the cognoscenti. 1Reply Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 6/14/23 Wouldn't it be more effective for a University to be noncompetitive and more cooperative in its arrangement? Does not competition retard maturation? 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 6/14/23 Sillik, the answers to your questions is/are an emphatic NO ! ! ! Competition between universities, fine tunes perspectives and financing — bringing together the finest minds and talents on anyone subject matter (without competition the mind and talents are lost to the herd mentality's mundane). It is the LACK of competition that retards maturation! Reply E Archer, NYC Mike, Norwalk 6/14/23 Exactly. Competition, like in sports and debate, sharpens one's skills. Without competition, there is no debate and no mastery or excellence. Which is the primary fault with socialism, no one may dissent from the 'experts' no matter how unqualified they are.What makes someone an expert? MERIT! The best driver, runner, scientist is determined by their accomplishments. You don't take advice from losers, sorry, there is no nice way to put it. No one starts out in first place, they have to train and compete for the position. May the best person win. 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk E Archer, NYC 6/15/23 When I was in business, my mind set was to offer the very highest quality, most versatile, durable — longest lasting and easiest to use. The best, always has a niche and you don't have to make excuses for it. My competition was continually coming up with stuff I had not personally considered. It was not just enough for me to one-up the particular trait but, I felt driven to make the best that I could. The added traits and versatility never hurt business and always made a better product for my customers. There is always going to be a market for cheaper while, it was competition that helped me be the best. 1 Reply E Archer, NYC 6/14/23 Universities that depend on federal subsidy have become indoctrination camps for Marxism. US History is not even a requirement any more to graduate. Pupils are accepted based upon race rather than merit, driving the overall quality down. It is the purposeful dumbing-down of America. Students demanding (and getting) segregated dorms, classes, graduation ceremonies have completely turned it all upside down.Discrimination against 'colored people' was a crime, now granting special privileges to 'people of color' is the norm. Black privilege has been the policy for decades. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Richard Hofstadter quote is found in these categories: Dissent quotes Diversity quotes Education quotes Knowledge quotes Reason quotes Skepticism quotes Truth quotes Character quotes About Richard Hofstadter Bio of Richard Hofstadter Quotations by Richard Hofstadter Books by/about Richard Hofstadter Richard Hofstadter videos Richard Hofstadter on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Richard Hofstadter