Research misconduct cited, but Churchill and supporters say the decision was political.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Another ‘Honour’ Killing
Jul 31st, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBachan Athwal and her son Sukhdave arranged the murder of Surjit Athwal ‘to defend the family honour.’… Read the rest
The Afterlife as Information?
Jul 31st, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonMaybe minds are like radio signals and brains are like radios? Or maybe not.… Read the rest
Einstein’s Wife: PBS Fails the Test of Integrity
Jul 31st, 2007 | By Allen EstersonIn July I had one of those good news/bad news days. First the good news. In response to the detailed complaint I had submitted in February 2007 to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation about their promotion of the film “Einstein’s Wife”,[1] I received the following from Simon Melkman, ABC Audience & Consumer Affairs:
“Due to the breaches of the ABC’s Code of Practice which you have identified, the ABC will not broadcast ‘Einstein’s Wife’ again. In addition, the ATOM ‘Einstein’s Wife’ study guide has been removed from the ABC website.”
Now the bad news. On that same day I received from one of the Einstein specialists whose tendentiously edited interviews were included in the film the information that the US Public … Read the rest
Hindu Expert Says Monks Got it Wrong
Jul 30th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTheir interpretation of Hinduism was naive and simplistic, said Jay Lakhani.… Read the rest
Celebrating the Sanctity of Tuberculosis
Jul 30th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSupporters took part in a pooja ceremony celebrating the sanctity of life at the temple enclosure. … Read the rest
Foreign Policy Lists the Stupidest Fatwas
Jul 30th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonFrom Pokemon to Polio.… Read the rest
Cyberbullying
Jul 30th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAnonymity brings out the shark in people.… Read the rest
Dylan Evans’s Utopia Experiment
Jul 30th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘The logs were symbolic of the enormity of what I’d taken on and I just froze.’… Read the rest
Muslim Support for Suicide Bombing Falls
Jul 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPew Survey reports fall in support since 2002, but in Palestine support is still at 70%.… Read the rest
Roger Scruton on the Anthropology of Religion
Jul 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe important thing is not god or gods but the sacred.… Read the rest
South Africa: Men Tell Women to Wear Skirts
Jul 26th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA trouser-wearing woman in Umlazi township was stripped naked and her shack burnt down.… Read the rest
Those small towns in conservative areas
Jul 25th, 2007 2:12 pm | By Ophelia BensonSastra said several interesting things in a comment on Leaving Amherst.
… Read the restI seldom comment, but read Butterflies & Wheels regularly, and I’m terribly grateful that Ophelia is not only as interesting and provocative as she is, but is a ‘she’ as well. I’ve noticed a distinct “gentleman’s agreement” among the women I know that we really should not disagree. What I call “Thanksgiving Table Diplomacy” promoted around the calendar – avoid controversy and pass the potatoes, bringing up all the lovely things we have in common. “It’s more important to be nice than ‘right.'” Women are supposed to be supportive and reassuring. No debate; no disagreement; no honest discussion of contrary views, unless it is to “celebrate our diversity.”
Three Sisters Stabbed to Death in Gaza
Jul 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHamdi Shakkour of Palestinian Center for Human Rights said they suspect the women were victims of ‘honor crimes.’… Read the rest
Libya Tortured the Nurses and Doctor
Jul 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘I was tortured like the rest of the accused and there are marks on the bodies of us all.’… Read the rest
Shambo to be Killed; Monks ‘Warn’ Officials
Jul 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘They will have to physically desecrate a temple to get him. They will have to interrupt an act of worship.’… Read the rest
Kidnaped Danish Journalist Released in Afghan.
Jul 25th, 2007 | Filed by Ophelia BensonTwo 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