This article examines the challenges that have emerged in tourism as a result of the new audit culture, and the effects this system is having on the creation of knowledge. A premium is now being placed on quantifying just about every type of output in our efforts to rank one agent or entity against another: people, programs, journals, disciplines, and so on. This analysis departs from other works on the topic through the use of philosophy, and in particular, the work of the Canadian philosopher John Ralston Saul. Saul’s thoughts on corporatism, instrumental reason, utilitarianism, and knowledge are fundamental to the situation we find ourselves in at present. I argue, as Saul does, for a return to content over structure and form. Although working within these systems may be beneficial to some scholars and their programs and universities, the practice is not helping to build a cohesive and well-organized field.
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