Two Sides to Every Issue

Submitted by Cheryl Harshman (United States), Nov 25, 2002 at 18:49

I write in response to commenter "so what" who states that professors are entitled to their opinions. Yes, this is true, as we all are entitled to our opinion. However, most of the population is not in a position of responsibility i.e. teaching. It is irresponsible for some professors to present only one side of an argument. A professor who is truly interested in provoking critical thought will present both sides of an issue and allow the student to form his or her own opinion. Good teachers, who are not afraid of an opinion that does not agree with theirs, would inform his/her students that he or she has a particular bias on a given issue so they would know there are other schools of thought they need to review in order to have a valid opinion on the issue. Not all but many professors in our nation's universities seem to think they are the only people in this country whose opinions should matter. After all, aren't they the most educated? Of course, the answer is no. Sometimes in the course of getting educated people forget they are not infallible and that they do not have all the answers.

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