Word: opinionating
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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There is no question that exposing students to a variety of different economic viewpoints "helps them better understand mainstream neo-classical economics." But opponents of Feldstein's decision ignore the possibility that the current system already offers sufficient breadth of opinion, particularly for an introductory course...
...empirically determine whether this is enough university of education or not--it is a matter of opinion. Of course, someone must make a decision, and it is for this reason that Harvard placed Feldstein in charge of Ec 10--to decide major issues about course structure and content. When a professor is hired to lead to course, he is hired to use his expertise and experience to make important decisions about the course, to guide section leaders...
...best alternative to Feldstein's "autocratic" ruling, according to the majority opinion, would force students (many of them freshmen) to choose between ideologically different sections in the first week of classes. The idea of students placing themselves in rigid ideological molds before they have the tools to make such an important decision is frightening. For even those students who have adequate knowledge to make a rational decision, is it part of Harvard liberal arts education to allow these students to surround themselves with ideologically similar people in the classroom...
...vote was 8 to 1, and the majority opinion was cast in the sort of expansive language not usually found in the fractionated Supreme Court of late. "A criminal trial is fundamentally unfair," wrote Justice Thurgood Marshall, "if the state proceeds against an indigent defendant without making certain that he has access to the raw materials integral to the building of an effective defense." Specifically, said the court, defendants who plead not guilty by reason of insanity are entitled to a psychiatrist's help in preparing and presenting their cases...
While focusing on the right to psychiatric help, Marshall's opinion hinted that states may be required to provide poor defendants with other experts. Ballistics specialists, for example. Nor did Marshall restrict aid to indigents accused of crimes carrying the death penalty. Chief Justice Warren Burger, in a concurring opinion, would have made such a distinction, guaranteeing psychiatric aid only for capital cases...