Academic freedom and tenure, both cherished institutions of higher education, are currently under attack by many both outside and within the academy. Richard DeGeorge argues that they can be defended on ethical grounds only if they are joined with appropriate accountability, publicly articulated and defended standards, and conscientious enforcement of these standards by academic institutions and the members of the academic community. He discusses the ethical justification of tenure and academic freedom, as well as ethical issues in their implementation. He argues that academic freedom, which is the basis for tenure, is not license nor the same as freedom of speech. Properly understood and practiced, both academic freedom and tenure exist not to benefit faculty members or their institutions, but to benefit an open society in which they thrive and of which they are an important part.

"What DeGeorge has provided is a moral road map useful for exploring the ethical issues surrounding academic freedom and tenure. . . . DeGeorge, and the authors of other books in this series, challenge us to exercise our philosophical prowess in the examination of our own practice. It is a challenge we ought to meet." - APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy

"The reasoning is close, distinctions are crisp, and opposing views are summarized and answered. All research university faculty and academic affairs administrators should read this ethicist's look at academe's most cherished institution." - CHOICE

"Academic Freedom and Tenure: Ethical Issues is an excellent resource to help imbue in future members of the profession a sense of the academic culture that cuts across disciplinary lines. . . . A thoughtful analysis." - Academe

"Professor De George provides a thorough, balanced, and ultimately convincing defense of the tenure status quo, while identifying some areas of concern and making suggestions for improvement." - Journal of College and University Law, Fall 1998; Vol. 2 No. 2