Academic Quote by Jerry A. Coyne
“Can a geology teacher blithely tell his students that the earth is flat, or a European history professor that the Holocaust didn't happen? That's not academic freedom, but dereliction of duty.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast “Science Vs. Pseudoscience”, 2018
Academic freedom does not excuse teaching falsehoods; educators must uphold factual integrity.
In simple terms: Teaching false facts isn’t true academic freedom.
Key Takeaway
Uphold evidence‑based teaching.
Themes
education
truth
responsibility
academic integrity
Mood
concerned
serious
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- classroom
- curriculum design
- public lectures
- policy making
Key Concepts
misinformation
duty of educators
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the limits of academic freedom?
- How can institutions enforce factual standards?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring facts erodes public trust in knowledge.
