Full Breakdown
Texas A&M University Professor Ordered to Remove Plato from Curriculum Due to New Policies
1/9/2026, 10:59:17 AM
Overview of the Situation
Martin Peterson, a philosophy professor at Texas A&M University, has been instructed to remove readings from Plato's works, specifically from the *Symposium*, from his syllabus for the upcoming "Contemporary Moral Problems" course. This directive stems from new policies enacted by the university's Board of Regents, which restrict discussions on race, gender, and sexual orientation in classroom settings. The decision has sparked significant controversy regarding academic freedom and censorship in higher education.
Core Event: Censorship of Philosophical Texts
On January 7, 2026, Peterson received an email from Kristi Sweet, chair of the Philosophy Department, indicating that certain readings, including Aristophanes' myth of the split humans and Diotima's ladder of love, were deemed inappropriate under the university's updated guidelines. These guidelines, adopted in November 2025, prohibit courses from advocating "race or gender ideology" or discussing topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity without prior approval. Peterson was given until the end of the day to comply with the order or face reassignment.
Background & Context: Policy Changes at Texas A&M
The Board of Regents' policy changes were influenced by a broader conservative movement within Texas aimed at limiting discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational settings. This shift followed a controversial incident involving former professor Melissa McCoul, who faced backlash for including LGBTQ+ themes in her children's literature course, leading to her dismissal. The new rules have raised alarms among faculty about potential violations of academic freedom and First Amendment rights.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the directive, Peterson expressed his concerns about the infringement on academic freedom, stating, "Texas A&M is a public institution bound by the First Amendment... which does not tolerate laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy over the classroom." The university, however, maintains that it will continue to teach various dialogues by Plato in other courses, asserting that the affected course sections will not include modules on race and gender ideology.
Criticism & Opposition
The decision to censor Plato's teachings has drawn criticism from various academic and free speech organizations. The Texas A&M chapter of the American Association of University Professors condemned the move, highlighting the legal and moral implications of silencing foundational philosophical texts. Lindsie Rank, director of Campus Rights Advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), stated, "You don’t protect students by banning 2,400-year-old philosophy," emphasizing the detrimental impact of such censorship on academic discourse.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the university asserts that it will still include Plato's works in other courses, the specifics of which courses and how they will address similar themes remain unclear. Additionally, there is no indication of an appeal process for faculty who disagree with the new directives, raising concerns about transparency and faculty autonomy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What kind of university is that? Is that really what they want?” — Martin Peterson, Philosophy Professor
- “the U.S. Constitution protects my course content,” — Martin Peterson, Philosophy Professor
- “Not even Plato can escape censorship at Texas A&M!” — Texas A&M Faculty Union
The situation at Texas A&M University highlights the ongoing tensions between academic freedom and institutional policies influenced by political pressures, raising questions about the future of education in public universities.
