December 2020
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2020: Philosophers who passed away
MOVING TO FRONT FROM THIS MORNING, UPDATED The passing of the following philosophers was noted on the blog during 2020: Dan W. Brock, Mario Bunge, George Dickie, David Efird, Gerald ("Jerry") Gaus, Ruth Gavison, Ronald Giere, Colin Howson, Joel Kupperman, J.R. Lucas, Jack Macintosh, David Charles McCarty, Brian McGuinness, D.H. (Hugh) Mellor, Philippe Mongin, J.…
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In Memoriam: David Charles McCarty (1953-2020)
Professor McCarty, who taught for many years at Indiana University in Bloomington, was best-known for work in the history and philosophy of logic and mathematics. The Indiana memorial notice is here. (Thanks to Dirk Schlimm (McGill) for alerting me today about Professor McCarty's death in November, which I had missed.)
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Philosopher Kathleen Stock (Sussex) recognized in Queen’s “Honours” for 2020…
…with an OBE for "services to higher education," no doubt in recognition of her advocacy for free intellectual discussion of the idea of "gender identity" and the ramifications of replacing biological sex with "gender identity" for various legal protections afforded women. Professor Stock uses the occasion to note some of the threats to the former…
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The Dunning-Kruger effect: just statistical noise?
With a whole blog category devoted to the phenomenon ("the less they know, the less they know it"), it would be disappointing if this is true. But I'm sure it isn't, so there!
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The “most visited” categories on the blog, 2020
Of course, "Philosophy in the News" dominated, as well as, this year, "Coronavirus." But here were the five most popular other categories (in alphabetical order) after those two big ones: Academic Freedom, Authoritarianism and Fascism Alerts, Philosophy Updates, The New Infantilism, and "The less they know, the less they know it." (Surprisingly, "Chris Bertram" almost…
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Fomites are not driving this pandemic
We've touched on this topic before, but more recent work confirms the earlier suspicion: If a person infected with the coronavirus sneezes, coughs or talks loudly, droplets containing particles of the virus can travel through the air and eventually land on nearby surfaces. But the risk of getting infected from touching a surface contaminated by…
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2020 in review, 4th quarter: October, November, December
October Another academic freedom case, at the University of New Hampshire The First Amendment is apparently hard to understand Classics professor at UT Austin defamed as a "pedophile" by deranged students has now sued them MA programs in philosophy, with funding Do philosophers make the world a better place? Thoughts from the late John Gardner…
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How the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work
An illuminating (if sometimes challenging) discussion by biologist Jerry Coyne (Chicago).
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2020 in review, 3rd quarter: July, August, September
July (mostly on hiatus this month) Several dozen Princeton faculty calls for violation of their colleagues' right to academic freedom Board of Illinois Wesleyan spares philosophy–this time August How will the pandemic and economic crisis affect the landscape of higher education? 2020-21 PGR postponed due to COVID-19 President of the University of Southern Maine understands…
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Some free philosophy from Oxford University Press
Most-read (online) journal articles and book chapters of 2020.
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“In Search of Beethoven”
The greatest musical genius of them all was born 250 years (and 10 days) ago. You will, I promise, have a very pleasant Sunday watching this well-done documentary:
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Great moments in obscure rock ‘n’ roll: the five best finds of 2020…
…in my opinion, anyway. Glad to hear yours in the comments (click on the category, "Great Moments in Obscure Rock 'n' Roll" to see this year's selections from which to choose). When the year started, I was skeptical I would find enough suitable choices, but as it turned out, there were so many good…
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2020 in review, 2nd quarter: April, May, June
April Best introductory texts to philosophy of law How universities can open next fall New German study of infection and virus transmission (this one got it right) A nice note from a philosopher in NYC, with two interesting twists Why Berkeley's mandatory diversity statements are unlawful "What's the deal with birds?" When the "war" against…
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Joe Walsh meets Xmas
40 years ago, in my misspent youth, I had planned to be a rock star, as it were. I played a passable rhythm guitar, I sang more in tune than Bob Dylan or Neil Young (not by much), and I wrote lots of songs. I was also fortunate to know a real rock musician, Tommy…
There is a lot to reflect on here but, having already commented enough, I won’t. Just one thing on climate…