From August 19 to 21, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute was pleased to support a conference aimed at addressing the fragmented state of political philosophy in Canada.
The event was a call to protect and revitalize the marketplace of ideas – where free expression, academic freedom, and diversity of thought are under direct threat.
The conference united scholars from across Canada to explore not only the erosion of liberal arts education but also the broader challenges facing intellectual freedom in Canada.
Among the key topics discussed were:
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- The decline of liberal arts education and its diminishing role in cultivating citizenship and civic responsibility.
- The consequences of sidelining political philosophy in universities, resulting in a public discourse increasingly disconnected from foundational democratic principles.
- The marginalization of serious intellectual inquiry due to the focus on vocational training and the monetization of academic research.
- The growing trend of media outlets, professional bodies, and government policies restricting debate and stifling heterodox opinions.
Participants discussed how meddling politicians, bureaucrats, and institutions increasingly undermine the marketplace of ideas by shrinking the boundaries of permitted debate and enforcing ideological conformity.
You can hear some of the attendees with Peter Copeland, sharing their perspectives on whether Canadian institutions are politically captured and the implications this has for our public discourse:
Free speech on life support in Canada’s universities: Peter Copeland and Ian Brodie
Are Canadian institutions politically captured?: Peter Copeland and Dave Snow
The cultural realignment in Canadian politics: Peter Copeland and Eric Kaufmann
From liberty to entitlement and the rise of positive rights in Canada: Peter Copeland and Ryan Alford
Participants left the event with a renewed commitment to ensuring that political philosophy, and the free exchange of ideas, continues to shape Canadian public discourse and democratic governance.
Our thanks to all who attended!
