Two German journalists missing, one killed.… Read the rest
More Immunity for Religion, Islam in Particular
Jul 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMalaysian government warns it could use anti-terrorism laws against bloggers who ‘insult’ Islam.… Read the rest
Can’t we all just…? No, we can’t.
Jul 24th, 2007 12:51 pm | By Ophelia BensonJonathan Derbyshire points out a problem with anti-foundationalism for people who have moral and/or political commitments. First he quotes John Holbo in a post I would have commented on then if I’d had time –
The real problem is that Rorty’s torn between a ‘Pyrhhonist’…anti-foundational epistemology and a progressive politics, in which he would like to demand lots of social changes, for the sake of social justice. His reformist reach exceeds his justificatory good conscience. He really thinks he’s right, but doesn’t think he can give his opponents rational grounds that they are compelled to accept.
Then he adds:
… Read the restIn other words, Rorty’s philosophical views prevent him from justifying or defending his progressive politics – and that’s politically problematic. So
Utilitarianism, Happiness, Mill
Jul 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonRoger Crisp, author of an acclaimed book on Mill, explains Mill’s utilitarian ethical theory. … Read the rest
Nigel Warburton on The Death of Socrates
Jul 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonEmily Wilson provides plausible explanations of why the Athenians were so ready to execute Socrates.… Read the rest
Biologists Receive Threatening Letters
Jul 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPolice at U of Colorado say they know who sent threats to biology professors who teach evolution.… Read the rest
Benson and Stangroom on Intellectual Adolescence
Jul 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonContrarianism has a proud intellectual heritage, but in its postmodern flowering it became merely juvenile.… Read the rest
Point of Inquiry Interview With OB
Jul 24th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTruth, meritocracy, anti-intellectualism, the harm principle, Keats, the Santa Claus argument for God.… Read the rest
Leaving Amherst
Jul 23rd, 2007 1:44 pm | By Ophelia BensonI’m back. Jetlagged, tired, and back.
I listened to that Point of Inquiry interview this morning and it wasn’t too bad. At the time I thought I was doing more futile muttering than turned out to be the case. As I was leaving the studio (which is in a room at the Center) I was called into the office across the hall by Norm Allen, the reviews editor of Free Inquiry; he wanted me to do a review of Infidel. They seem to like me at that place. Very wise of them.
I tell you what though: it is a boys’ club. I’m sorry to say that, but it is. (You know it is, you CfI people, if … Read the rest
James Ryerson on Rorty
Jul 23rd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHis work was ‘welcomed by theoretically minded professors of literature and cultural studies.’… Read the rest
It’s All Metaphor, I Tell You
Jul 23rd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIf this god is a metaphor, why are people always building real monuments and cathedrals to it?… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo on Sophisticated Theology
Jul 23rd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWhat God is a metaphor for.… Read the rest
Does the Religious Majority Rule?
Jul 23rd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHow quickly insiders can become outsiders.… Read the rest
What US Voters Want
Jul 23rd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonGotta believe in God, but in the right, sane, normal way; none of this funny stuff.… Read the rest
Mo Explains the ‘Nurse Five Times’ Fatwa
Jul 22nd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe barmaid becomes lachrymose.… Read the rest
‘Multi-faith’ Schools the Remedy for Segregation
Jul 22nd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonOr perhaps not.… Read the rest
Pressure from Neocons and Islamophobes
Jul 22nd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe remedy is to put the mosque at the heart of everything. Or perhaps not.… Read the rest
It’s a Colonialist Project!
Jul 22nd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonNo, it’s about writing off political stances that do not fit the strategic priorities of the west!… Read the rest
Center for Inquiry Ontario
Jul 22nd, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBuilding the atheist church basement.… Read the rest
Johann Hari on the Neocon Ship of Fools
Jul 20th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSunbathing with people who think we need to execute a few of these pesky liberals.… Read the rest