There was a time … But was there? Was there ever a time when universities were ideology-neutral, save for that minimal set of commitments required for universities to perform their function? Thinking there was is a bit like Trump wanting… Read More ›
Month: January 2024
SUPREMACY
I’ve always had trouble with the concept of supremacy. I think I understand it when it’s used aspirationally. I’m hoping that the Chiefs best the 49-ers in the upcoming Superbowl. Or predictively. I’m betting that the Chiefs best the 49-ers…. Read More ›
ATROCITY VS HISTORY
When it happened a long time ago it’s called history. When it happened a shorter time ago, or it’s happening today, it’s called an atrocity. Think about what it was like to be an Amalekite. Fast forward to the Viking… Read More ›
KILLING AND LETTING DIE
Is there a moral distinction between killing and letting die? There would have to be, since otherwise we’d be culpably responsible for the millions of people who die every year because we didn’t feed them. And that’s a burden too… Read More ›
THE RELEVANCE OF SOME CONCEPTS OF LAW TO CONTEMPORARY CANCEL CULTURE
We can worry about the ontology of law, moral or legal, when we’re more at our leisure. But whether moral or legal, it’s an axiom of law that all is permitted save what is prohibited. This is because listing permissions… Read More ›
STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
As of day 100 since October 7th, the Israeli government announced there were 105 hostages still alive. Probably a couple fewer today. But after all this time, I can’t help but wonder if, and if so for how many, Stockholm… Read More ›
APARTHEID AND GENOCIDE
The reason they’re called the Abrahamic religions is that Jews, Christians and Moslems share a common core conception of god. But let’s not be too quick about what follows from this. You and I might share a common conception of… Read More ›
GAZA AND THE MEN’S RIGHTS MOVEMENT
The Israelis started it off, on October 7th, at 1405, and then gradually dropped it to the current count of 1155. As of today, apart from the 51,000 they’re reporting as injured, the Gaza Health Authority has its own latest… Read More ›
WHY ISRAEL DOESN’T HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF
The thing about rhetoric is it can’t afford to ask itself what it means by the words it uses. For example, in justifying Israel’s response to the attack on October 7, the most oft-chanted mantra is that Israel has a… Read More ›