The University is a fine institution, one that should be invented if it didn't already exist. There is always need for an institution where the goal is to get to the bottom of things, not just how people think or might claim things are, or how some figure of authority dictates you should think.

Action is rooted in critical thinking, which is not a prescription for negativity and certainly not for cynicism; the objective is to find out if claims made and information provided are credible. This principle can be applied, indeed should be applied, to the output of the academic world as well.

As I see it, the University has always been a fascinating combination of critical thinking and idealism. We analyse with precision the objects of our research, often find our initial understanding to be wrong and have to toss the research findings in the bin. But we are driven by our idealistic belief in our ability to generate something of importance.

And idealism is essential, since it is one of the world’s most important resources. As Henry Kissinger said at US Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller’s memorial service, “cynics do not build cathedrals.” Nothing worthwhile will be achieved without a decent dose of idealism. Only then, as you’re putting the building blocks in place, should realism enter the picture.