Scholars need more freedom?

gzlaser

DO scholars and academics need to observe certain rules or manners when expressing their views in their work?

Tan Zuowen, a young lecturer on classical Chinese literature at Capital Normal University in Beijing, recently found himself at the center of a raging storm. He was forced to apologize for a book he had published after getting pressure from both the public and university officials.

Was Tan's subject matter controversial? Not really. Tan's book is a biographical study of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. However, Tan refers to the poet as the \"No 1 guhuozai of the Tang Dynasty\". In Hong Kong movie lingo, that means \"hoodlum or trouble-maker\".

Most of Tan's critics accuse him of tarnishing the image of the revered poet and turning academia into a sensational show.

In his defense, however, Tan makes clear in the book's preface that the expression \"guhuozai\" is by no means meant to show disrespect. Instead, Tan says he used it to describe Li Bai's youthful spirit and passion for life.

Other scholars have also come to Tan's defense, arguing that the young lecturer's publication should be protected by academic freedom and it's wrong for the school to interfere in academic research.

So, do you think the criticism of Tan's work is too harsh and unfair?