Academic Responsibilities, Obligations, and Freedom: A Call for Review - In Memory of Professor Dr. Tomáš Hudlický

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove). 2024;67(1):32-38. doi: 10.14712/18059694.2024.17.

Abstract

The advent and dominance of social media in our daily lives is not a matter of discussion, and very few minimalistic individuals have tried to decrease this technological dependency, which can become toxic and noxious for the development of an autonomous personality and free thinking. Academic faculties claim a depauperation in terms of their freedom but are also not free from duties, responsibilities, and obligations. Here, duties, responsibilities, obligations, and freedom are addressed in historical terms as the university as an institution developed over the centuries after its founding in the 11th century is currently under attack. We premonish that these concepts must still be reiterated and divulgated to students and fellows in academia. Galilei's "Eppur si muove" ("and yet it moves") are the words pronounced by the Italian mathematician, physicist, and philosopher Galileo Galilei that should resonate in censorship bodies now and in the future.

Keywords: academic freedom boundaries; obligations; responsibilities.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Freedom*
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Universities / history