Imagine you take two groups of students of equal aptitude. You take one group and tell them: “Find the best economic management system for your country. Consider every system, every philosopher, every study and every possibility.”
You tell the second group: “Find the best economic mode l you can but you will not think about the Keynesian model! You will not discuss it, question it or condone it. If you discuss the Keynesian model in any way you are a badstudent!”.
Which group do you think have a greater chance to produce a better model? Why?
Freedom of speech and freedom of thought are vital. High school economics students might be presented with a scenario similar to the one I just gave. Kindergarten classes might not be ready for classic economics just yet but the principle remains the same. As parents teach their kids right and wrong they have to be careful to also encourage inquisitively. A teacher also bears a responsibility to nurture that wonderful childhood characteristic. Always ask “Why?”.
Groups that stifle freedom of speech and scream down anyone they disagree with are enemies of academia and mental development. The laws that regulate speech in the UK – and in the country where I live- are far from perfect. But they have been built up over many generations and are not subject to the political whims of the day. Nor should they be. That’s why, regardless of personal views, I was pleased that the video of Tommy Robinson speaking at Oxford Union was uploaded to youtube.
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