January 2017
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Virtual Dissertation Groups, once again
Joshua Smart (PhD candidate, Missouri) writes: While advisors and committees are important, it can be incredibly helpful to discuss one’s work with peers in a lower-stakes environment, and it can be particularly enlightening to do so with those who take a different approach or have a different focus. Not only that, but there is evidence from…
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Trump and German Idealism
Who knew? (Thanks to Clifford Sosis for the pointer.)
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Why is Trump making his spokespersons tell such absurd lies?
Here's an economist's theory: basically, a kind of loyalty-testing (will you fall on your knife for me?). This fits, of course, what I said long ago about his Mafia mindset. Anyway, this is a plausible hypothesis, and it does seem to cry out for some kind of explanation, since it is so bizarre! (Thanks to…
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Brittain from Cornell to Toronto
Charles Brittain (ancient philosophy), currently Professor of Classics and Philosophy at Cornell University, will take up a similar post at the University of Toronto beginning with the 2017-18 academic year.
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Launch of Hi-Phi Nation
Philosopher Barry Lam (Vassar) writes: Today I am launching the first episode in the 10-episode series of Hi-Phi Nation, a show that integrates narrative storytelling, journalism, documentary audio, and philosophy. The hope is that it will bring a lot of the public to philosophy that would not otherwise seek it out, and that it can…
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Introducing the Netherlands to President [sic] Trump…
…Trump-style. This is quite funny. (Thanks to Ruchira Paul for the pointer.)
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A hopeful sign from the media
I've noticed The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN all refer to false statements by President [sic] Trump as simply "false": no hedging, none of the "Trump says, but others say," they just declare, correctly and flat out, that what Trump (or sometimes Spicer, his increasingly pathetic spokesperson) have sometimes said is "false." …
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Oppose Betsy DeVos, reactionary heiress and enemy of public schools, as Education Secretary
At the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, filmmaker Michael Moore made a good, concrete suggestion about regularly calling your Senators and Representative regarding Trump mischief. As a start, he proposes targeting Senators to oppose the awful Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary (see his post for the phone number and other info). There's some good reasons for…
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Psychology is “fucked”: the syllabus
This should be a good course. (Thanks to William Junker for the pointer.)
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A major lawsuit filed to challenge the constitutionality of President [sic] Trump’s business dealings
If the suit goes forward–at this point, I have no informed opinion to offer–it may present the first direct conflict between Trump and the courts, especially if the court orders that he produce his tax returns. I'll be watching this one!
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The increasingly ugly demise of Charlotte Law School
A local news outlet records the details. Charlotte is now betting on an Education Department under Besty DeVos being more favorable to them!
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“Hegelian Dialectic”
Hip-hop version. My guess is this is unlikely to become a standard secondary source. (Thanks to Robert McGarvey for the pointer.)
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More signs of the times: Eastern Illinois University considers eliminating philosophy program, among others
Story here. Faculty positions will not necessarily be lost, even if the major is, though that remains to be seen. Some of this is due to the wicked Illinois Governor Bruce "country club" Rauner, whose refusal to compromise has prevented a regular budget from being enacted, creating huge pressures on the public universities. Readers will…
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Anti-Trump Marches
Add your story at Robert Paul Wolff's blog, where there are accounts of Washington DC, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Boise so far! ADDENDUM: An estimated 470,000 at the Women's March in DC, compared to 160,000 for the inauguration of the short-fingered vulgarian. MORE: It's a happy sign that at least 3.3 million and perhaps as many…
In addition to many interesting points above, I wonder if welcoming AI into the research process turns off many academics…