Freedom of speech on our campuses is under fire almost continuously. Students shout down speakers they dislike (without even bothering to listen to them), and professors write articles about how speech can be violence. Administrators seldom do anything to quell the uprisings.

Free speech needs robust defenders. A recent book by Penn professor Sigal Ben-Porath titled Free Speech on Campus is not a robust defense, alas. It’s a disappointment, and I explain why in today’s Martin Center article.

Yes, she says some good things about the value of the uninhibited exchange of ideas, but hedges her defense with caveats about how college officials should protect supposedly fragile students against “harmful” speech.

In my view, school officials should stop worrying about the feelings of college students. All they should do is to clearly explain that part of being an adult is to deal respectfully with people who disagree with you. If you hear something you don’t like, you make a counter-argument. In doing so, you strengthen your own mind and possibly convince others that you’re right.