A simple way to maximize benefits while keeping the costs to a minimum is to take issues which have a mass appeal but in which people in your immediate circle are not under any blame. The issue concerns something at a non-personal level, which could be societal, ideological, legal, political, international etc. On the other hand, if you find an unethical act at your own institution, the costs of protests are large and the benefits are small.
Epidemics have both, a clinical and scientific side as well as a governance and public health management side.
The word ‘science’ always creates pre-eminence in the human brain, and we socialized in the same way of being, beholding this as an orthodox mark of excellence. However, the compassion and love for science are merely visible in just the lyrics and have vanished unhurriedly from academia. We are heading to a future of dark undemocratic path in science academia at most of the higher institutions in India.
Academicians have a high ethical responsibility to humanity in general, to be open to criticism, and to encourage telling the truth irrespective of consequences. But unfortunately, many academicians are carriers of unscientific, irrational and illogical thoughts which undermine the true values of science. This is a major impediment to the creation of a better society.
Physical distancing by closing down schools, offices, businesses and staying at home is all that we can do to slow the spread
Chance of death from Covid-19 is not very high; only 35 of 1,000 cases are dying on an average.
A set of links related to COVID 19.
Confluence invites articles from its readers on the moral/ethical duties and responsibilities of academicians towards their profession, the student community and society at large.
Let students think. Let them make their own choice. Do not ridicule their dissent as ‘dirty politics’. Of course, they have to know that violence in any form is disallowed. But to the intelligent, physical violence is redundant anyway.
When the market logic of customer-service provider creeps into higher education, the pressure to constantly be productive in a circumstance where your basic existence as a student is under threat due to political reasons becomes a mental burden.
