November 2020
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Apt remarks about the difference in impact of Judith Butler inside philosophy, and outside…
…from philosopher Kathleen Stock (Sussex): In my own discipline, philosophy, there is still – thank God – encouragement to treat every new theory you encounter with an attitude of grumpy suspicion. You have to test it for structural weaknesses, improbable consequences, inconsistencies, and other problems before you endorse it. Negative criticism is far more common…
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Seeking memories and anecdotes about Derek Parfit
MOVING TO FRONT FROM NOVEMBER 26, FOR READERS WHO MAY HAVE MISSED IT David Edmonds–author most recently of The Murder of Professor Schlick (Princeton), as well as co-host of the popular Philosophy Bites podcast with Nigel Warburton–writes: I am just starting research on a biography of my one-time supervisor, Derek Parfit. I would be very…
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“The Roles of Judges in Democracies: A Realistic View”: the podcast…
…with Professor Brian Frye (Kentucky), regarding this article. My thanks to Professor Frye for inviting me to discuss it!
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Google, Twitter have been targetting the left for censorship well before high-profile cases like Alex “I’m as as crazy as I seem” Jones
A useful documentation of the systematic attempt to push in to cyber-oblivion left-wing websites, including the World Socialist Web Site that took the lead in exposing the mistakes in the NYT's 1619 Project. (Thanks to Christopher Morris for the pointer.)
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Colorado Summer Seminar in Philosophy for 2021
Philosopher David Boonin (Colorado) writes: I’ve now finalized the topic for this summer: “Ethics and Epistemology” and am ready to start accepting applications. The link to the site containing all the information is here: https://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/events/summer-seminar I’d again appreciate it if you’d post something on your blog about it. I've always heard good things about this…
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“The Roles of Judges in Democracies: A Realistic View”: the podcast…
…with Professor Brian Frye (Kentucky), regarding this article. My thanks to Professor Frye for inviting me to discuss it!
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University of Chicago “responds” to the tantrum about Professor Abbot’s views on diversity
The University responds correctly. I'm sure it was triggered by this, which President Zimmer does not mention, also correctly. Here is an excerpt from the President's response which should be copied and pasted into every President's response to tantrums from the right or baby left (i.e., the "hurt feelings" left): [T]he University does not limit…
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New “public philosophy” series at the Pea Soup blog
They're seeking contributions!
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Great moments in obscure rock ‘n’ roll: Highway Robbery, “Promotion Man,” 1972
American hard rock/heavy metal trio, they were supposed to be the next Black Sabbath, but ended up recording only one album before being dropped by RCA. This is the concluding number from that album:
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When will the COVID pandemic end?
McKinsey, the business consultants, say probably in the third quarter of 2021 (July-September), maybe as late as the 4th quarter of 2021. Their reasoning seems sensible enough.
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UChicago geology professor under attack for raising mild criticisms of “diversity” initiatives
Dorian Abbot, a geology professor here at the University of Chicago (whom I do not know), had the temerity to express doubts about his department's "diversity" efforts. You can see the slides that formed the basis for his presentations to his colleagues here, here, here, and here; his own account of events is here. I…
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What is it like to be a philosopher? Adrian Moore edition
Here. Remarkably candid.
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Which living philosopher has exerted the greatest positive influence on your moral/political views? The results
MOVING TO FRONT–COMMENTS NOW OPEN FOR READERS TO EXPLAIN THEIR CHOICE So with 1200 votes since yesterday, here are the results. 1. None (21%; 252 votes) 2. Peter Singer (12%; 144 votes) 3. Alasdair MacIntyre (10%; 120 votes) 4. Martha Nussbaum (9%; 108 votes) 5. Elizabeth Anderson (7%; 84 votes) 6. Christine Korsgaard, Thomas Nagel,…
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Amy Coney Barrett, newest member of the super-legislature…
…delivers for her constituents, i.e., religious conservatives. This is why she was chosen, it had nothing to do with intelligence or legal competence: it was so she would exercise her power as a super-legislator on behalf of issues dear to religious conservatives, public health or the general welfare be damned. Governor Cuomo should declare the…
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Justice Amy Coney Barrett, newest member of the super-legislature…
…delivers for her constituents, i.e., religious conservatives. This is why she was chosen, it had nothing to do with intelligence or legal competence: it was so she would exercise her power as a super-legislator on behalf of issues dear to religious conservatives, public health or the general welfare be damned. Governor Cuomo should declare the…
The Last Grand Master of a Grander Age https://firstthings.com/