"The idea behind a floating signifier is that it's a reference that has broken free of its referent and taken on a life of its own, popping up in places that made no sense in the original meaning."
"Conscientious-objector status comes from the military. The idea was that soldiers who had been drafted-key point-were put in positions that required them to violate their religion."
"In the context of a military draft, the concept makes sense. The soldiers don't choose to be there and don't have the option of just walking away."
"In Utah, now, the idea of conscientious objection has become a floating signifier. The Legislature there has passed a law allowing college students to claim conscientious-objector status when given any reading assignment or class assignment that they claim violates their beliefs."
The concept of conscientious objection has transformed into a floating signifier, particularly in Utah, where students can claim this status for assignments conflicting with their beliefs. Originally rooted in military service, conscientious objection allowed draftees to avoid roles that violated their religious or moral convictions. This adaptation in education, however, detaches the term from its foundational meaning, as students now have the option to opt out of assignments rather than facing compulsory service, leading to a disconnection from its original intent.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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