The fields of modern academic and scientific endeavor were only in their infancy, " In the spirit life, and in the interpretation of the general meaning and ends of human existence and its relations to the universe, we are still far from a comprehension of the final truths, and from a universal agreement among all sincere and earnest men." therefore, it was essential to protect, as "the first condition of progress, a complete and unlimited freedom to pursue inquiry and publish its results."
The university was to be a refuge from all tyrannies over men's minds--those of the state, university trustees and administrators, and public opinion. Yet, there was a notable exception to the teacher's freedom to teach whatever he, in his own personal judgement, wished when dealing with young students. The teacher was admonished to avoid "taking unfair advantage of the student's immaturity by indoctrinating him with the teacher's own opinions before the student has had an opportunity fairly to examine the other opinions upon the matters in question, and before he has sufficient knowledge and ripeness of judgement to be entitled to form any definitive opinion of his own."
The university was to be a refuge from all tyrannies over men's minds--those of the state, university trustees and administrators, and public opinion.
Yet, there was a notable exception to the teacher's freedom to teach whatever he, in his own personal judgement, wished when dealing with young students. The teacher was admonished to avoid "taking unfair advantage of the student's immaturity by indoctrinating him with the teacher's own opinions before the student has had an opportunity fairly to examine the other opinions upon the matters in question, and before he has sufficient knowledge and ripeness of judgement to be entitled to form any definitive opinion of his own."