Inspired by the work of Federico Ardila, professor of mathematics at San Francisco State University, we offer the following axioms:
Axiom 1—Intellectual potential is distributed equally among different groups, irrespective of geographic, demographic, political, and economic boundaries.
Axiom 2—Everyone can have joyful, meaningful, and empowering intellectual experiences.
Axiom 3—Intellectual inquiry is a powerful, malleable tool that can be shaped and used differently by various communities to serve their needs.
Axiom 4—Every student, staff, and faculty member of our community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
The Comparative History of Ideas Department is deeply committed to fostering a critically engaged and supportive community where all students, staff, and faculty are treated with respect and care. We strive to create an inclusive space where difference is valued, and all people from a diverse range of backgrounds and orientations are welcomed and able to thrive. We recognize the power of stories and personal journeys as crucial for creating such an engaged and reflective community. CHID emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and actively addressing barriers to knowledge and education. We recognize our collective responsibility to create the conditions in which everyone in our learning community can flourish.