Having witnessed this gradual shift over the past 30 years, I fear that these cultural changes, which tend to have longstanding consequences,, threaten to undermine the heart and soul of the university--a respect for the construction and articulation of knowledge.
"One gets the impression that there is a respect for learning and knowledge in the Obama campaign that was not there in the others," Dr. Chalfie said.
Many of us hold out the hope that the coming Obama administration will mark a return to respect for knowledge and expertise.
Instead, it is a fantasia of what Sicilian food might be, reimagined by a New York chef with a respect for seasonal ingredients and knowledge of that island's Greek, Italian, Arab and French influences.
That means a conscious, deliberate effort is required to recover our respect for knowledge and truth.
Increasingly prevalent during the past 25 years, it seems to me, is an uncritical identification with authority figures, as opposed to the legitimate respect for knowledge and effective application of it.
They were also able to discuss issues in an informed manner, with confidence in front of their colleagues, such was the sense of respect for knowledge.
In this know-nothing climate many of our citizens have lost respect for knowledge as well as for the people we entrust to convey it to the next generation.
They are often aware of both the strengths of Islam, such as its great respect for knowledge, learning and compassion, as well as the problems in the Muslim community and the stereotypes associated with the faith.
We await a common hope, a hope that our schools, colleges and universities, will balance a love of learning with a sense of meaning, a pride in knowledge with a respect for goodness, a drive for discovery with a regard for recovery.
