There are many moving parts in this post, which is great, though it makes teasing them apart a challenge. It begins with a reference to Greg Lukianoff's principles for "the empowering of the American mind" on the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) blog. Now there's a slant in this presentation, but bar some editing for perspective, the principles are reasonably sound. Jacobs suggests they apply in public school, which leaves open the question of parochial schooling, which is widespread in the U.S. and elsewhere. Wouldn't these principles apply?
But more: I think there's a distinction to be drawn between moral principles and social principles. The former guides a person's sense of right and wrong, and these should be freely chosen and expressed, and not imposed on a person. The latter, though, consists of principles necessary for free and peaceful coexistence, and apply to all regardless of their beliefs. Teaching social principles is not the same as teaching moral principles; teaching them is not 'indoctrination' or any such thing, and is in effect no different than teaching people the highway traffic act.
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