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Microaggressions, cancel culture, safe spaces, and academic freedom: A private property rights argumentation

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  • Philipp Bagus
  • Frank Daumann
  • Florian Follert

Abstract

Science is critical and thrives on discourse. However, new challenges for science and academic freedom have arisen from an often‐discussed cancel culture and an increasing demand for safe spaces, which are justified by their assumed protection against microaggressions. These phenomena can impede scientific progress and innovation by prohibiting certain thought processes and heterodox ideas that eventually result in new ideas, publications, statements, etc. In this paper, we use the approach of property rights ethics to shed light on these phenomena, especially in academia. First, we argue that microaggressions must be generally tolerated according to property rights ethics as the starting point for discussion. Then, we analyze cancel culture and safe spaces in academia. To this end, we distinguish between two basic cases in the educational system. We show that cancel culture and safe spaces seem justifiable in a private education system but have no place in public, tax‐funded universities from the perspective of property ethics. Our essay contributes, on the one hand, to the economic analysis of science and, on the other hand, to the ethical study of new phenomena in modern societies.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp Bagus & Frank Daumann & Florian Follert, 2024. "Microaggressions, cancel culture, safe spaces, and academic freedom: A private property rights argumentation," Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(3), pages 523-534, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:buseth:v:33:y:2024:i:3:p:523-534
    DOI: 10.1111/beer.12626
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Murray N. Rothbard, 1997. "The Logic of Action One," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 968.
    2. Florian Follert & Heinz E. Klingelhöfer & Frank Daumann, 2023. "The dark side of shareholder orientation: A reflection of Rappaport's concept of shareholder value," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(6), pages 3277-3288, September.
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