Hampshire College

Principles of Discourse at Hampshire College

1) That we value truth and the process of seeking truth as ends in themselves;

2) That we accept responsibility to articulate a position as close to the truth as one can make it, using to the best of one's ability, available evidence, and the rules of reason, logic and relevance;

3) That we listen openly, recognizing always that new information may alter one's position;

4) That we welcome evaluation and accept and even encourage disagreement and criticism even to the point of seeking out for ourselves that which will disprove our position;

5) That we refuse to reduce disagreement to personal attacks or attacks on groups or classes of individuals;

6) That we value civility, even in disagreement;

7) That we reject the premise that ends, no matter how worthy, can justify means which violate these principles.