Revue des droits de l’homme – N°26
Éric Fassin
https://doi.org/10.4000/12hrc
Defining academic freedom is a political issue. Both political and economic powers can jeopardize it. Of course, students can disrupt a class or occupy an auditorium; but they cannot fire professors nor cut their funding. In 1915, the American Association of University Professors defined academic freedom as a professional one in the face of the powers that be, in particular of the institutions that recruit them – hence the importance of tenure that is a guarantee of independence. In France, academic liberties also include the principles of recruitment and governance by peers. Today, these liberties that are distinct though complementary are under attack. It is true that freedom of speech is also threatened by the evolution of regimes that were supposed to be liberal. But it is important to differentiate them. Both cases imply the right to say everything (within the limits of the law). For freedom of speech, that includes anything: people are free to have opinions. Academic freedom, saying everything, but not anything. They are based on the search for truth, and thus on the rejection of bullshit. This is why academia, and in particular critical thinking, are the targets of authoritarian regimes. This is why the defense of academic freedom is a democratic issue.
Plan
Cancel culture : un « maccarthysme de gauche » ?
Libertés académiques et pouvoir institutionnel
Libertés académiques et liberté d’expression
Libertés académiques et normes disciplinaires
Épilogue : retour à l’actualité