Harvard Closes the Book on Analytic Thinking When it Comes to Israel and Palestine
The human mind has a remarkable multitasking capacity. Multimedia has honed our mind’s abilities to move in a blink from thought to thought and task to task. This cognitive muscle, termed “parallel processing,” enables individuals to manage varied mental tasks and concepts concurrently. How we effectively juggle multiple thoughts simultaneously is complex — it’s a gift for some and a struggle for others. Right now, the violence between Israel and Gaza overwhelms our brain neurons. It is hard to think straight. Our minds are numb! It’s a hot topic that clouds analytic thinking.
The brain’s complex architecture paves the way for parallel processing. Different regions of the brain specialize in distinct cognitive functions. Neurologically, the prefrontal cortex handles executive functions like decision-making, while the hippocampus is dedicated to memory.
The Brain’s Ability to Process Diverse and Expansive Thinking
When two tasks don’t heavily overlap in brain regions, it’s easier to think about them in tandem. Universities are known for diverse and expansive thinking-like brain function, where the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus co-exist harmoniously. Academic centers of excellence have long been considered havens for diverse ideas. But processing what’s happening now in the Middle East is not a shining moment for academic institutions.
When 30 Harvard student organizations issued their myopic statement that singularly lays blame on Israel’s doorstep, they tossed aside the academic rigor expected from one of the country’s most prestigious public policy and business launching pads. It is also a stumble in supporting the ultimate objectives of the Israelis and Palestinians — peace and prosperity — at a critical moment when Harvard is in the grips of extreme views. This intellectual dead end is failing Palestinians and this country. These student leaders advocate for a status quo dynamic that offers only a continued cycle of violence.
Beacons of Enlightenment or Bias
Academic institutions serve as beacons of enlightenment and progress, fostering a rich intellectual tradition valuing the diversity of ideas and perspectives. When Harvard students turn a blind eye to the incomprehensible that happened in Israel on Saturday, October 7th, they close the book on analytic thinking. No wonder many distinguished alums cut ties with Harvard and pledged not to write more checks to their alma mater. They are anguished that Harvard crimson cloaks itself in the blood of innocent civilians and ignores the university’s role in creating a better future for both people.
What happened on October 7th — the barbaric images filmed and shared proudly by Hamas terrorists on social media — leaves us speechless. It cannot leave Harvard students ignorant. Murdering civilians — mothers, fathers, children, even family pets — should be condemned universally. But that does not mean abandoning Palestinians and their plight.
After the initial shock, some universities’ student bodies skipped over the slaughter, quickly decrying Israel as the villain. They justify the brutal deaths of young and old on October 7th as cause and effect in the terrible cycle of violence that breaks our hearts. They avoid the totality of events and history of both people — the mutual wrongs and hopes snuffed out, to place the blame squarely on Israel. How does that advance the action for Palestinians long-term?
That 30 student groups at Harvard University signed on to a letter stating they “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence” is an absolutism that rejects sound academic and critical thinking. That approach also marginalizes fellow students and places them at physical risk. It heralds a great academic institution’s decline.
Inability to Multi-Task Concepts
We must face a terrible reality. Perhaps Harvard students cannot multi-task concepts. The 30 groups ignored the parallel idea that both people share historical responsibility for lost opportunities and the “unfolding violence.” Despite the students’ and faculty’s high composite IQs, Harvard cannot imagine that dual narratives co-exist. That two truths can live side by side, and reconciliation demands acknowledging both and finding a bold path for peaceful coexistence. That is what the Israelis and Palestinians need most — building an environment for conversation and compromise that ensures Israel’s security and the Palestinians’ possibilities of building a state.
In the past, Israeli leaders like Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert sought far-reaching peace agreements. Yet extremists like Hamas make that impossible for Palestinian leaders. Courage can only go so far. With the looming prospect of a Sadat-like assassination, Palestinian leaders are hard-pressed to sit at the peace table, sign an agreement requiring compromise that could become their death certificate. But Palestinians and Israelis could one day reach an agreement like Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement. Israel and Palestine may one day find leaders like David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist Party, and John Hume, the Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP). Sometimes from terrible events comes a ray of hope.
Peace is Always an Option
These two Irish leaders jointly won the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize for bringing peace after generations of violence to Northern Ireland. But behind them were objective (trusted) negotiators Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, leaders of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, backed by the hopes of both sides made peace possible. If recent actions by Harvard’s student body indicate their future skill, it’s doubtful they will qualify as trusted, objective moderators.
American universities have long been instrumental in advancing the principles of free speech, academic freedom, and open discourse. They provide platforms for students and scholars to explore various perspectives and ideologies, fostering a culture of respect where ideas can be rigorously debated and tested. This intellectual diversity has contributed to the growth of knowledge and the nation’s prosperity. The culture of open-minded pursuit of knowledge must not stop in these difficult times.
Harvard historically had been a vanguard community in promoting inclusivity and diversity. It has been instrumental in challenging societal norms and advocating for equal access to education for all, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background. The move by 30 Harvard student groups and the administration’s muted response to their one-sided declaration harms open discourse. It rejects the deeper study of issues, signaling a downward spiral for the university’s societal leadership. That is a loss for America, Israelis and Palestinians.
