14/05/2025
"What has made the issue urgent now is the increasing polarization of our society, where you tend to demonize people who you disagree with." The more that phenomenon is affecting students, he says, "the greater the need is to take measures to counter it." — Paul Brest, former Stanford Law School dean and professor emeritus
A leading scholar in constitutional law and legal ethics, Paul Brest served as dean of Stanford Law School from 1987 to 1999 and has taught at Stanford since 1969. He also helped build the field of philanthropic studies, co-authoring one of its foundational texts and directing the Hewlett Foundation after his deanship.
Known for championing critical thinking and civic responsibility, Brest has long argued that rigorous debate and intellectual openness are essential—not only in legal education but in any free society. That conviction drives his recent work mentoring students through ePluribus Stanford, where he helps develop tools for thoughtful disagreement in and beyond the classroom.
It's getting hard to remember a time before polarization, self-censorship and social media shouting matches. Each week this month, we're featuring a faculty member and their proven methods for constructive dialogue. Read our Stanford magazine cover story, "Disagree With Me," here: https://stanfordmag.org/contents/disagree-with-me
📸: Norbert von der Groeben/Stanford Law School
