Student: … Values are subjective
Teacher: No, that’s not true. Some people’s values are better than others’
Student: No, they’re subjective. No one can impose his values on somebody else
Teacher: … I say values are not subjective and if you don’t agree with me I’ll flunk you!
Student: (gasp) What? What? …. Are you crazy?
Teacher: No. I can do that. Why not?
Student: Well (sputtering) because it’s not fair
Teacher: “Fair”, “fair”, what do you mean “fair”? Don’t impose your values and sense of right of wrong on me.
Student: (pause, and eventually) I see your point.
The Wall Street Journal, 25th July 1978.
Geciteerd in “The Scientifization of Culture” C.W. Rietdijk, 1994, pp.37