Donna, I think this philosophy graduate student’s argument fails by misunderstanding the role of a marketplace. He writes, “Just as in the real market, we exclude some goods, so should we in the classroom.” Not quite right. In a real market, we select among the goods offered. The existence of a good in a market ? in this case, an idea that Courtwright deems unworthy ? does not imply anyone’s buying it.

Excluding goods is closing the market, inching towards monopoly ? or in terms of ideas, indoctrination.

Courtwright argues, “it is a moral mistake for universities to think of themselves as equally open to all views. It is wrong to treat certain positions as worthy of discussion.” No, the mistake is treating certain positions so unworthy of discussion that the university is closed to them.

Moeser is right: “The primary role of a university is not to espouse a point of view, but rather to provide a platform for the expression of all points of view.” I like to quote Justice Brandeis on the virtue of openness: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Keep the marketplace of ideas open.

Courtwright’s idea is well in keeping with the philosophical notion that seems to occur to every tyrant and despot.