Campus Files: Episode Summary - "Dogmatic Slumber"

Introduction

In the April 2, 2025 episode of Campus Files, titled "Dogmatic Slumber," host Margo Gray delves into the intricate and contentious story of Evan Charney, a once-celebrated professor at Duke University. This episode explores Charney's unique teaching methods, the challenges he faced regarding academic freedom, and the broader implications for higher education in America.

Evan Charney: Background and Teaching Philosophy

Evan Charney was a distinguished member of Duke University's Public Policy Department for nearly two decades. Described by Gray as an "academic celebrity" in a school typically dominated by basketball stars, Charney was renowned for his provocative and intellectually rigorous courses. Charney's academic journey began with an undergraduate degree from Hunter College, followed by a master's and doctorate from Harvard University before he joined Duke's faculty in 1999.

Charney's passion for teaching is evident from the onset. Reflecting on his early years, Charney remarked, “I was a very strange child, but I was always an intellectual in the good sense of the term. And I think I always knew I was going to PhD from the time I was a child” (01:34). His enthusiasm for pedagogy blossomed once he began teaching, finding immense gratification in engaging with young minds: “...how exhilarating I found it, and how much I loved working with young people...” (01:59).

The Dogmatic Slumber Course

One of Charney's most impactful courses was "Policy Choices: Value Conflict," an undergraduate ethics course tailored for public policy majors. The course aimed to introduce students to moral philosophy and its application to pressing contemporary ethical dilemmas, including abortion, seatbelt laws, physician-assisted suicide, and hate speech. The objective was to equip students with the skills to construct coherent and consistent arguments across multiple facets of any issue.

Charney's teaching philosophy was deeply influenced by the Socratic method. He sought to challenge students' foundational moral beliefs, which he termed a "dogmatic slumber." His goal was to awaken students from this intellectual complacency by relentlessly questioning their "deepest held convictions and cherished ideals" (03:39). Charney emphasized critical thinking over belittling opinions, aiming to help students identify and rectify flaws and contradictions in their arguments (04:34).

A notable example of his method involved a controversial discussion on bestiality. Charney would present arguments against homosexuality, only to dismantle them with logical reasoning and empirical evidence, leaving students in a state of "aporia" or confusion (04:51). His approach was designed not to provide answers but to encourage rigorous debate and self-examination.

Challenges to Academic Freedom

Charney's unorthodox methods and refusal to align with any political ideology made him a polarizing figure on campus. To prevent students from attempting to categorize his political stance, he registered as an independent voter early in his teaching career. This ambiguity fueled speculation among students, many of whom tried to pin down his political beliefs. Charney adeptly navigated these dynamics by arguing passionately for varying sides of an issue in different classes, reinforcing his commitment to intellectual diversity (06:14).

However, around 2009, Charney began to notice a shift in the classroom environment. The concept of "harm" expanded to include any opposing viewpoints, leading to increased student sensitivities. This change made it increasingly difficult for him to discuss topics like free speech without facing accusations of causing emotional harm. Charney observed that discussions were moving away from objective analysis to personal attacks, mirroring concerns later articulated in Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff's The Coddling of the American Mind (14:07).

Controversy Leading to Contract Non-Renewal

Despite his popularity and multiple teaching awards, Charney's contract was abruptly not renewed in April 2018, just before his 20th anniversary at Duke. The university provided no clear reason for this decision, leaving Charney perplexed and alleging that it stemmed from his confrontational teaching style. He filed a complaint with Duke's Faculty Hearing Committee, which acknowledged his contributions but stated it had no jurisdiction over the contract decision (19:58).

The determining factor, as Charney discovered months later, was an incident during a campus sit-in focused on race. During a heated debate, a black student accused a white classmate of a microaggression, to which Charney countered by emphasizing equal treatment regardless of ethnicity or religion. This confrontation reportedly played a significant role in his dismissal (18:12).

Aftermath and Broader Implications

Following his dismissal, Charney became a controversial figure, garnering support primarily from conservative circles. Senator Chuck Grassley publicly denounced Charney's expulsion, accusing universities like Duke of being "dominated by groups of angry students with closed minds and the administrators who kowtowed to them" (23:03). However, Charney revealed that his political stance was more nuanced, identifying himself as a "far left liberal" who staunchly supports free speech (23:27).

The episode underscores a growing trend where attempts to sanction university professors have surged, with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education reporting an increase from four attempts in 2000 to 145 by 2022 (16:44). Charney's experience exemplifies the tension between fostering open academic discourse and maintaining a campus environment perceived as safe and non-threatening.

Conclusion

Evan Charney's story, as presented in "Dogmatic Slumber," highlights the delicate balance institutions of higher education must maintain between encouraging rigorous intellectual debate and ensuring an inclusive, supportive environment for students. Charney's commitment to challenging students' beliefs and promoting free speech raises critical questions about the future of academic freedom and the role of universities in shaping critical thinkers.

Notable Quotes

• Evan Charney (03:39): "Societic wisdom begins with a sense of your own ignorance, with an awareness that you do not know what you thought, you know."

• Evan Charney (04:51): "I made clear to the students that if I can go after you, you can go after me. In fact, I encourage you to do this."

• Evan Charney (12:19): "The use of the term harm expanded to such an extent that it encompassed or came to encompass points of view that people were opposed to or that they found disagreeable."

• Evan Charney (16:43): "The greatest danger to universities now is suppressing speech out of the misguided idea that that the point of a college or university is to make students feel comfortable."

Timestamp References

• Timestamps in square brackets (e.g., [03:39]) correspond to specific points in the transcript, providing context for quoted material.

Closing Remarks

"Dogmatic Slumber" serves as a poignant exploration of the challenges facing academia, particularly regarding freedom of expression and the cultivation of critical thinking. Evan Charney's narrative is a testament to the enduring struggle to uphold intellectual rigor in the face of evolving societal norms and institutional pressures.