Thomas Jefferson loathed Plato. In 1814, he wrote to John Adams that he had been reading the Republic and came away unimpressed: ”Bringing Plato to the test of reason, take from him his sophisms, futilities, & incomprehensibilities, and what remains?” The only reason the Greek philosopher is so revered, Jefferson opined, is that “education is chiefly in the hands of persons who, from their profession, have an interest in the reputation and the dreams of Plato.”
Even so, Jefferson would have been appalled by what happened last week at Texas A&M University. Days before the spring semester began, Martin Peterson, a philosophy professor, was ordered to remove Plato’s Symposium from the list of assigned readings for the class “Contemporary Moral Issues.” Peterson and Plato fell victim to a policy adopted by the university in the fall, which states that classes cannot “advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity” without special approval.
In his email response to his department chair, Inside Higher Ed reported, Peterson warned, “You are making Texas A&M famous-but not for the right reasons.” He was right. The case has attracted widespread outrage, including a protest from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. It’s hard to imagine a starker violation of academic freedom than forbidding students to read one of the most famous texts in all of Western philosophy. “Your decision to bar a philosophy professor from teaching Plato is unprecedented,” Peterson protested.
But although this kind of censorship may be absurd and sinister, it is ironically fitting that Plato, of all philosophers, should be targeted by a regime worried about the affect of subversive ideas on tender minds. Almost 2,500 years ago, Plato’s teacher, Socrates, was sentenced to death by the city of athens for exactly the same reason.
“What do thay say? Something of this sort: That Socrates is a doer of evil, and corrupter of the youth, and he does not believe in the gods of the state.” That is how the charges against him are described in the Apology, one of Plato’s early works, which reports or imagines the speech Socrates delivered in his defense at his trial. He warns his fellow citizens about “the evil name which you will get from the detractors of the city, who will say that you killed Socrates, a wise man.”
The fate of Socrates convinced Plato that the conflict between philosophy and society was certain-especially in a democracy, where public opinion is sacred. In the parable of the cave, in the Republic, plato compares human beings to cave dwellers who never see the sun, but perceive everything by shadowy firelight. Only the philosopher is able to escape the cave and see the way things really are. But## Analysis of Claims Regarding Higher Education, Academic freedom, and Philosophical Study
This analysis addresses claims made in an article by Aziz Huq concerning recent developments in higher education, specifically referencing Texas A&M university and the work of Professor Peterson, and the broader implications for democratic education. The source is treated as untrusted and subjected to independent verification.
### Breaking News Check (2026/01/13 21:59:12)
As of January 13, 2026, the issues surrounding academic freedom and curriculum restrictions at Texas A&M University, and similar institutions, remain ongoing and actively debated. There have been further instances of political pressure on university programs and faculty, as reported by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) [AAUP]. No definitive legal rulings have resolved the core issues of academic freedom versus institutional control.
## Texas A&M University and curriculum Changes
The article claims Texas A&M regents drafted a policy that, implicitly, misrepresents the philosophical work of Plato.
The core issue is a shift in curriculum at Texas A&M University, specifically impacting a syllabus previously including Plato, now replaced with a *New York Times* article explaining the reasons for its removal. This change has been widely reported as stemming from concerns about “gender ideology” and aligns with broader efforts to restrict discussions of diversity,equity,and inclusion (DEI) in Texas higher education. [Texas Tribune Report on DEI Restrictions].
For example, in August 2023, Texas A&M announced the elimination of numerous DEI-related positions and programs, citing state legislation prohibiting DEI initiatives. [Texas A&M University Official Proclamation].
## The mischaracterization of Plato’s Philosophy
The article asserts that the Texas A&M regents’ policy demonstrates a misunderstanding of Plato’s work, as his philosophy challenges conventional thinking about sex and gender, predating modern political labels.
Plato’s dialogues, especially *The Republic* and *Symposium*, explore complex ideas about justice, love, and the ideal state, often questioning societal norms and challenging established beliefs. His work does not align neatly with contemporary “left” or “right” ideologies. [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Plato].
As an example, Plato’s concept of ”Forms” suggests a reality beyond the physical world, influencing his views on ethics and politics, and offering a framework for critical thinking that transcends specific past contexts.
## Threats to Democratic Education and Academic Freedom
The article posits that both democracy and education are under threat in the United States, leading philosophers to reconsider the concept of “prudence.”
Academic freedom, a cornerstone of democratic education, is increasingly challenged by political interference, legislative restrictions, and public pressure.The foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) tracks incidents of academic censorship and restrictions on campus speech. [FIRE Website].
As an example, in 2023, Florida passed legislation restricting discussions of certain topics related to race and gender in public schools and universities, leading to concerns about self-censorship among faculty.[Florida Department of Education – Critical Race Theory]. This legislation exemplifies the broader trend of limiting academic inquiry based on political considerations.
## Esoteric Writing and Omission
The article suggests professor Peterson is employing “esoteric writing” by highlighting what is being omitted from the syllabus.
Esoteric writing,in this context,refers to a deliberate strategy of drawing attention to the absence of certain materials or perspectives,implying a hidden agenda or censorship. The replacement of Plato with an article *about* why Plato is no longer being taught serves as a direct illustration of this technique.
This tactic is often used to signal a critique of institutional constraints and to encourage students to question the reasons behind curricular decisions.
