February 2020
-
Is morality necessary?
Philosophers Jason McKenzie Alexander (LSE), Barry Smith (London), and Justin Smith (Paris-Diderot) discuss.
-
Best introductory texts to non-Western philosophical traditions or figures?
Continuing with our new series about the best introductory texts in various areas of philosophy, I now invite readers to name what they think are the best introductory texts to non-Western philosophical traditions or figures (e.g., Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Islamic traditions; or figures like Mencius or Al-Fārābī). As before, don't just name a text, but…
-
Regarding memorial notices
It is not possible to record the passing of every member of the legal academic community. I try only to post memorial notices for faculty who are likely to be nationally known for their work. I'm sure I sometimes make mistakes of omission, for which my apologies.
-
Democratic primaries and the general election
So even the mainstream media has acknowledged that Sanders is the clear front-runner. I gave money initially to Warren, but once it became clear she isn't registering with enough voters, I'm now giving only to Sanders. I still expect this to come down to Sanders and Bloomberg, with the only real uncertainty being whether Sanders…
-
The pernicious class politics of “diversity blather”
The President of Oberlin College, in order to save perhaps $2 million per year, proposes to fire more than 100 dining services and custodial employees represented by the U.A.W. in order to hire outside vending services which "are better able to reach economies of scale based on their size and expertise." Translation: these services will…
-
Philosopher vs. tabloid in Canada
MOVING TO FRONT FROM FEBRUARY 21–UPDATED The philosopher is Daniel Weinstock (McGill), whose views were misrepresented by a malevolent columnist. Since it's Canada, a jurisdiction less protective of defamers than the U.S., I hope he sues them! The fabrications have now cost him an official position. (Thanks to Mike O'Brien for the pointer.) UPDATE: Quebec…
-
Thomas Piketty discusses his new book, “Capitalism and Ideology”…
…at Tocqueville 21.
-
Did the AAUP make it easier for institutions to fire tenured faculty?
This CHE article suggests as much: Experts on [the AAUP's] standards-setting Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure revised the definition of financial exigency in 2013. Under the previous definition, a university’s financial condition had to be so dire that it "threatens the survival of the institution as a whole." "We decided, frankly, that that…
-
Concordia Law in Idaho to become part of Concordia University in Minnesota…
…after the original parent campus in Oregon closes.
-
Great moments in obscure rock ‘n’ roll: The Factory, “Try a Little Sunshine,” 1969
The second single from this largely forgotten British psychedelic band we featured last month; a good tune, very much of its moment:
-
Members of the “White Rose” resistance to Nazism were executed on this day in 1943
If you don't know the story, you can check out this short video. (This longer film is very good.) Actual examples of moral courage are few and far between, but this was the real deal.
-
Yale faculty (philosophers and law professors) vouch for Sarah Braasch, the real victim in the “napping while Black” manufactured scandal
MOVING TO FRONT FROM FEBRUARY 18, UPDATED The letters of support, after Ms. Braasch was the target of vilification on both actual and social media platforms, are now available for those readers who would like to know who Ms. Braasch really is: Alan Schwartz, Scott Shapiro, Jason Stanley, Zoltan Szabo. These letters make it unsurprising…
-
“What makes the San Diego originalism conference so good”…
…as described by my colleague Will Baude also explains exactly what makes the AALS annual meetings so worthless from an intellectual point of view. The annual Analytic Legal Philosophy conferences used to be good in this way too for the first ten years or so, although not so much anymore unfortunately.
-
“Escape from Wuhan”
Gripping piece of writing by philosopher Spencer Case, who had been on faculty at Wuhan University. Professor Case tells me that his "colleagues Matt Lutz, Tim Perrine and many Chinese philosophy faculty — I'm not sure how many — remain stuck in the lockdown."
I only just learned of Barry’s passing, and I’m enormously saddened at the news. I wrote my PhD on his…