October 2023
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Roundup of Israel/Gaza links for October 31
Photos of the Hamas carnage from October 7; this is pretty ghastly, so do not click on the link if you're not steeled for it. "What Palestinians really think of Hamas." From the article: "Arab Barometer, a research network where we serve as co-principal investigators, conducted a survey in Gaza and the West Bank days…
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Blast from the past: the APA’s “Code of Conduct” on Anonymity
Back in 2016. The good news is the absurd (and unethical) Code of Conduct has proven to be wholly irrelevant. If anyone knows of a case where it was used to punish lawful speech, do let me know.
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Berkeley’s Dean Chemerinsky on the surge of antisemitism since October 7
His Los Angeles Times opinion piece is accessible here. Although I do not believe university administrators are in the business of "moral leadership," it is clearly within their responsibility to insure a campus environment free of religious, ethnic and racial discrimination and prejudice.
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The collapse of Hong Kong universities, not for financial but political reasons
A philosopher in Hong Kong, who for obvious reasons does not want to be identified, writes: A historian, Rowena HE Xiaoqing (Associate Prof) was fired from the Chinese University of Hong Kong after having her visa extension denied by the HK Immigration dept for what I assume are political reasons. (Her scholarship focuses on the…
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University leadership denounces Palestinian faculty member at Hebrew U who signed petition calling for ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the “genocide” in Gaza
A philosopher in Israel writes: In the days after the attack, several students at universities in Israel were suspended or expelled without hearing for showing support for Hamas. That is fair enough – such support for terrorism is illegal under national Israeli law in any case. However, this soon expanded to students who expressed support…
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Blast from the past: How many letters should a job seeker have?
Back in 2013, with reader discussion.
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van Fraassen on Sellars
Philosopher Bas van Fraassen has another blog, and this one has a long and interesting post about Sellars.
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Israel/Gaza links for October 29
Kenneth Roth (formerly of Human Rights Watch) comments on the Hamas atrocities (which apparently some infantile leftists can't acknowledge for what they are). (Thanks to Nick Serafin for the pointer.) Meanwhile, families of the hostages implore Netanyahu to make a prisoner swap. That return of the Israeli hostages is not the priority for the Israeli…
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Great moments in obscure rock ‘n’ roll covers: Marcy Playground, “The Needle and the Damage Done,” 2012
Marcy Playground had one very successful album in the late 1990s, but this cover of the Neil Young song from a 2012 album is uncanny in how much it sounds exactly like the original!
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Moreau from Toronto to NYU
Sophia Moreau (moral, political & legal philosophy), Professor of Law and Philosophy at the University of Toronto, has accepted a senior offer from the law school at New York University. That's a big loss for Toronto, and certainly helps solidify NYU Law's status as a leading center for philosophy, especially normative jurisprudence.
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Attack on philosophy and other arts & sciences disciplines accelerates at SUNY Potsdam
MOVING TO FRONT FROM OCTOBER 4: The information here has been updated, and the news is not good for philosophy (and several other units). MOVING TO FRONT from October 2: The Potsdam philosophers are asking others to write emails/letters in support of halting the planned cuts; more information here. Although there had been good news…
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What is it like to be a philosopher? Robert Stern edition
A very interesting interview–his reflections near the end about facing a terminal medical diagnosis are especially worth reading and thinking about.
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The Case for Kalven-style institutional neutrality
My colleague Tom Ginsburg makes the case.
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Biology journal editor loses his position after expressing sympathy for civilian victims of the bombings in Gaza
There's an account here, which quotes me about the law (private employers can punish employees for their political opinions, except in California), but omitted, alas, my opinion that this aspect of employment law in the U.S. is a travesty and an offense to democracy, in which citizens should be able to express their views about…
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Israel/Gaza links for October 26
A video about victims of the Hamas massacre at the music festival. U.N. Secretary-General calls for ceasefire, denounces "collective punishment" of the people in Gaza. An article that puts names and faces on victims (including entire families!) of Israeli bombings in Gaza. "Hamas' bid for revolutionary legitimacy." Not sure what I think of this, but…
I’ve only just heard this news and am sorry to read it. I was taught as an undergrad and postgrad…