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

[Introduction]

Student HandbookLes Atkins, one of the Handbook Editors and a Junior Lecturer in Law, replies to Professor Brian Philpott.

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It is difficult to take issue with the arguments put forward by Professor Philpott in his review of "Handbook" for two reasons. One: because they are difficult to find, residing more in the offended tone of the review than in meaning. Two: because the few that do become visible are barely arguments at all but (to quote Professor Philpott's characterisation of the arguments put forward in "Handbook") "hypotheses sheltering under the guise of truth". Thus he tells us "It is the job of the university to seek the truth to teach the truth and not to be the instrument for changing society".

The review can be divided into two parts. The first is a series of attacks on the age and aspirations of the editors of and contributors to "Handbook". The second part is a set of polemical comments dispersed throughout the review. The first is hardly worth commenting on, the second is crucial since it deals with questions important to the university and to many students.