July 2016
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How should a history of sexual harassment/misconduct factor into hiring decisions?
MOVING TO FRONT FROM JULY 10–MORE DISCUSSION WELCOME Philosopher Cheyney Ryan, Director of the Human Rights Programs for the Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict at Oxford University (who taught previously at the University of Oregon), writes: The University of Oregon recently settled a case against it for almost $1 million brought by a young…
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Simpson on extreme altruists
Philosopher Robert Mark Simpson (Monash) has done a very illuminating review of two recent books of interest to moral philosophers. It's also a model of review writing, fair and informative, and written with style and insight.
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Moral robots?
They're coming. But will they act for the right kinds of reasons, asks the Kantian? One doubts it!
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More on police killings
Following up on yesterday's post, a few more related items: 1. The Dallas police chief is, I take it, trying to express some of the relevant points. 2. The New York Times reports on new research by an economist that shows force is used more often against blacks than whites, but that there is no racial…
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Cooter & Ulen’s famous Law & Econ text is now available for free download…
…from Berkeley. (Thanks to Dean Rowan for the pointer.)
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To avoid sexual harassment and other unprofessional conduct, philosophy departments cut back on alcohol-infused socializing
Robin Wilson, a reporter at CHE who has covered academic philosophy quite a bit, kindly sent along a link to her latest article looking at the philosophy profession (the link should be free for about 24 hours, then behind a paywall again). Many of the changes described seem sensible, though a lot depends on the…
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Police typically oppose laws that make it easier for civilians to carry guns…
…even in Texas. But will the right-wing crazies in the legislature there act and do something sensible for once?
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Police killings in America: a somewhat different view
A few observations: 1. Police officers in America, of all races, are overwhelmingly from working class backgrounds, unlike New York Times journalists, elite university professors, and assorted major media pundits. 2. Some police officers are racist and some are sadistic, but there is no evidence that most are either. 3. Police in America are charged…
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Great moments in obscure rock ‘n’ roll: Spooky Tooth, “That Was Only Yesterday,” 1969
This mostly British band (with one American, Gary Wright–of later "Dream Weaver" fame in the mid-1970s) never achieved the success it deserved with its mix of progressive, hard blues rock, and psychedelic themes in its music. Greg Ridley the bass player went on to join Humble Pie. This tune comes from their fabulous second album. …
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Roger Ailes, the reactionary villain who runs Fox and has done more to debase the public culture in America than anyone else…
…is also a decades-long sexual harasser. One may hope this will do him in.
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Pogge case makes The New York Times…
…with some new details and quotes from Charles Larmore and Seyla Benhabib, among others. (Thanks to David Gordon for the pointer.)
A remembered Dreyfus remark on the Maharishi: I recall hearing Dreyfus say in a recorded lecture, perhaps twenty-five years ago,…