Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 2. 7th March 1973

University Commandment

University Commandment

The same approach is evident in Professor Philpott's response to the Marxist views he found in "Handbook". Having chortled at the statement (made, incidentally, by an ex colleague of Professor Philpott) that "the bulk of academics . . . just simply don't know better and genuinely believe what they teach" (can academics not be wrong then?) he went on to quote extensively from two articles commenting on the need for change in society. "These pure Marxist views", he then wrote, "must be refuted". Here, one would be forgiven for thinking, we get down to the heart of the argument. But no, for Professor Philpott's immediate refutation consists of this: "It is the job of the university to seek the truth and teach the truth and not to be the instrument for changing society". Why? What stone tablet elaborates this commandment? We are not told. Having thus given a preliminary "refutation" of the pure Marxist views he found in "Handbook" the Professor went on to concede that there are "enormous ills in society". He then aserts that academics are aware of these ills and having denied that the university's task is to change society, says that "the special skills and techniques they (academics) possess are usually directed towards those improvements which can be effected in society". One is reminded of a cliche about having your cake and eating it too.