Ethicist Nigel Biggar Warns Universities Are Succumbing to Woke Ideology
In his latest publication, esteemed ethicist and theologian Nigel Biggar issues a stark warning about the pervasive influence of progressive left ideologies within academic institutions. His new book, "The New Dark Age: Why Liberals Must Win the Culture Wars," directly confronts what he describes as the authoritarian tendencies of movements promoting diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and decolonialism. Biggar contends that these cultural conflicts are neither artificial nor trivial, but represent genuine threats to the foundational principles of open societies.
The Threat to Liberal Values in Academia
Biggar defines "liberal" in the classical sense, referring to the belief that a free marketplace of ideas serves as the optimal mechanism for testing and correcting prevailing orthodoxies. His central argument is straightforward yet urgent: the so-called "woke" or progressive left poses a direct danger to academic freedom and intellectual discourse. He asserts that universities, traditionally bastions of liberal thought, have become breeding grounds for ideologies that suppress dissent and enforce conformity through coercive power structures.
According to Biggar, when the left categorizes individuals into oppressor and oppressed groups, it creates a framework where self-appointed champions of the "oppressed" can evade criticism and rational accountability. This dynamic, he warns, legitimizes the use of coercive tactics to silence opponents and ultimately paves the way for tyranny. His analysis draws from personal experience and broader observations of academic culture wars playing out across Western institutions.
From Oxford Professor to Global Commentator
Prior to gaining international recognition, Biggar was primarily known within the United Kingdom as an Oxford professor of theology and ethics. His 2023 book, "Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning," catapulted him into the global spotlight after he publicly resisted cancellation attempts over his nuanced examination of British Empire ethics. Unlike many scholars who approach colonialism from a standpoint of moral repudiation, Biggar engaged in rigorous debate, backed by facts and logic, earning comparisons to figures like Jordan Peterson for his steadfast defense of intellectual freedom.
Biggar's transition from academic to public intellectual stems from his determination to provide factual arguments that challenge progressive dictates. "Colonialism" is described as a force of nature, rich with detailed notes and logical analysis that weighs the ethical complexities of British imperialism. For instance, he argues that Britain's involvement in the Atlantic slave trade must be balanced against its later role in banning slavery and using its influence to enforce abolition globally.
Polemical Focus on Academic Culture
"The New Dark Age" maintains Biggar's characteristic rigor but adopts a more polemical tone, specifically targeting the cultural and policy shifts that have transformed academia. He identifies multiple "vices" prevalent among left-wing academics, which he says involve the inaccurate or uncharitable handling of opposing viewpoints. These include tactics such as:
- Playing the man, not the ball: Attacking authors personally rather than engaging with their arguments.
- Pulling rank: Dismissing critics based on perceived lack of credentials or authority.
- Misrepresentation: Distorting others' positions to make them easier to attack.
- Setting up a straw man: Creating exaggerated versions of opposing arguments to defeat them easily.
- False assertions: Making claims without factual basis to undermine dissent.
Biggar's prose captures the frustration many feel when subjected to social media mobbings or academic censorship, noting that those on the progressive left often refuse to listen before disagreeing. His call to action is clear: a recommitment to liberal ideals, particularly within universities, is essential to prevent a descent into what he terms a "new dark age" of ideological conformity and suppression of free thought.
