Regarding George F. Will's thesis that the leftward leanings in academia are the result of a "filtering" process to consciously or subconsciously admit only like-minded thinkers ["Academia, Stuck to the Left," op-ed, Nov. 28]:
In the hard sciences and engineering, a professor's political views are rarely known to colleagues and are certainly not visible in his or her academic writings and research. So even if Mr. Will is correct in his insinuations, little to no bias should be found in the political leanings of professors in science departments.
Alas, the Santa Clara University study that Mr. Will clearly referred to without specifically identifying found the same high proportion of "liberals" in all college departments. Now, as insidious as liberal bias may be, it is difficult to see how it could be applied so effectively to cases in which political views are unknown and irrelevant.
Perhaps Mr. Will would do better to look at how far conservative thinking has moved away from reliance on scientific process, analysis and fact, as illustrated by the Bush admini- stration, which systematically dis- regards facts, studies and expert opinion.
If academia is becoming more liberal, perhaps it is the free choice of individuals who feel the country would be better off with policy guided by science and study, rather than by faith and dogma. When conservatives discover the Enlightenment, perhaps more of them will find successful careers in academia.
SEAN WILLETT
Seattle
The writer is an associate professor of earth and space sciences at the University of Washington.
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I am not surprised that academia is overrun by liberals, but how about a similar study of 1,000 corporate executives? Aren't most corporate executives conservative?
Aren't more conservatives interested in climbing the corporate ladder while "liberal" academics pursue a tenure track at colleges?
I just finished a two-year Health Services Research program for physicians at Johns Hopkins University. Physicians apply to this program because they are interested in solving the problems of the health care system; many believe that the free market is not leading to quality health care for all Americans.
I don't recall any poll of my colleagues in the program, but I'd bet most are liberal, even though there was no liberal "litmus test" to get in. Graduates of the program tend to go into academia.
I wouldn't mind having more conservative colleagues in academia -- debate is essential to learning. However, before conservatives start rushing toward academia to fill the shortfall, I want to share something with them: The pay isn't that great.
