Universities exist to discover knowledge, and the clash of ideas is essential to that process. At a good university one’s hypothetical and cherished ideas and values will be challenged — and especially when young, one needs that to happen. “Offense” is not to be avoided but sought. One’s weak ideas will be exposed, and one’s strong ideas will emerge better understood and more worthy of embrace.
One-minute excerpt on this point from my discussion with Alex Levy (Mexico):
Related: My invited Clemson University lecture, “The Postmodern Critique of Liberal Education.”
I found the The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure enlightening about this important issue.