Unconstrained Teaching

The liberal view starts with the most basic and core assumption that man has no inherent limitations to morality and reason. This is called the unconstrained vision of human nature. The implications of this core assumption are telling. One implication is that man is not inherently (internally) limited, therefore the problems in society come from external institutions (such as poverty or racism). People who have not reached their potential are therefore victims. Fix human nature and institutions and voilá: Utopia.

Another implication of this core assumption is that man is capable, through his own reason, to directly affect outcomes in society. If man truly has no inherent limits on reason, then he can and should use his reason to create utopia by changing human nature and fixing institutions that cause problems. Since some people are prevented from realizing their intellectual potential, it logically follows that those with the most reason should make deliberate decisions on behalf of their benighted counterparts.

Essentially, the unconstrained vision grants those who hold this vision a sense of self-worth. This means that liberals who see themselves in a higher intellectual plane will tend to seek positions of power to influence others deliberately and not through some "uncontrolled" process such as the rule of law and free markets.

Hence we should expect that the position of university professor would attract liberals. I was thinking about this before I came across this graph from the New York Times:























This graph vindicates my vision of liberals and professors. They are less likely to focus on a process whereby the student will analyze arguments and think for themselves. They are more likely to want to use their "reason" to deliberately affect the outcome of the students learning experience. The arrogance of professors leads to ignorance of students—though on both (if the student is successfully indoctrinated) is bestowed an anointed status above the "benighted" masses.


Please Stay tuned for the rebloot of my blog...coming soon...