Law Blog Considers Obligation of Older Professors to Retire

Do older professors have an obligation to retire? The Adjunct Law Prof Blog notes online discussions on the issue and decides the answer is no.

“My own view is there is NO obligation to retire,” writes St. John’s law professor Mitchell Rubinstein at his Adjunct Law Prof Blog. “However, there is an obligation to produce. I do not believe universities have any obligation to keep dead wood around. Unfortunately, many do.”

The question was first raised by readers of a philosophy blog edited by University of Chicago law professor Brian Leiter, director of the school’s Center for Law, Philosophy and Human Values. Their posts were reprinted at Inside Higher Ed. Some contended retirements are needed to provide opportunities for young teachers.