Open Letter Regarding President Bolsonaro’s Recent Pronouncements on Defunding Philosophy and Sociology (updated)


(UPDATE (5/5/19): I’m bringing this post back up to the top of the main page to increase its visibility. The letter now has over 3,000 signatures. Academics in all disciplines are encouraged to sign.)

Below is a letter responding to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s recent declarations that he is considering a plan to withdraw funding for the study and teaching of philosophy and sociology at public universities in Brazil.

Written by Sergio Tenenbaum (University of Toronto), Alice Pinheiro Walla (University of Bayreuth), and Catarina Dulith Novaes (VU Amsterdam), the letter is open for academics from around the world to sign. (To sign, use the form at the end of the letter.)


Open Letter Regarding President Bolsonaro’s Recent Pronouncements on Defunding Philosophy and Sociology

We, the undersigned academics around the world, would like to express our alarm and concern about President Bolsonaro’s recent claims that he is planning to defund Philosophy and Sociology (and possibly other areas in the Humanities and social sciences). Brazilian public universities have produced internationally recognized major research in both of these areas. Philosophy and Sociology are fundamental disciplines of any modern university, and, given the interdisciplinary nature of the university, defunding them will affect not only research in these specific areas, but also the reputation, and the quality of research and teaching, of Brazilian universities across all areas. In fact, it is ironic that Philosophy is singled out in this respect, as philosophers in Brazil were among the pioneers of paraconsistent logic, a research program that has had impact in such diverse areas as robotics and expert systems for medical diagnosis.

President Bolsonaro implies in his remarks that public funding should flow exclusively to professional schools. These are certainly important programs. However, a democratic society depends not only on its commercial productive output, but also on its social institutions, its understanding of their foundations and governing principles, as well as its understanding of how these policies and institutions affect its population. Research in social sciences and humanities, and especially Philosophy and Sociology, is vital to such an understanding. The contribution of academics to public debates is also of crucial importance to a well functioning democracy.

Students taking courses in these areas learn to think critically about their conditions, and the broader condition of the society and the world around them. But also the wider public and Brazilian society benefit from the intellectual expertise from philosophers and sociologists.

Thus an attack on Philosophy and Sociology, as well as the humanities and social sciences more generally, is an attack on the very fabric of a democratic society. We call on the Bolsonaro government to reconsider such proposals, and we call on all citizens of Brazil to join us in preserving public support of the social sciences and humanities in Brazil.

Regarding President Bolsonaro's Recent Pronouncements on Defunding Philosophy and Sociology

OPEN LETTER REGARDING PRESIDENT BOLSONARO RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS ON DEFUNDING PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIOLOGY

We, the undersigned academics around the world, would like to express our alarm and concern about President Bolsonaro’s recent claims that he is planning to defund Philosophy and Sociology (and possibly other areas in the Humanities and social sciences). Brazilian public universities have produced internationally recognized major research in both of these areas. Philosophy and Sociology are fundamental disciplines of any modern university, and, given the interdisciplinary nature of the university, defunding them will affect not only research in these specific areas, but also the reputation, and the quality of research and teaching, of Brazilian universities across all areas. In fact, it is ironic that Philosophy is singled out in this respect, as philosophers in Brazil were among the pioneers of paraconsistent logic, a research program that has had impact in such diverse areas as robotics and expert systems for medical diagnosis.

President Bolsonaro implies in his remarks that public funding should flow exclusively to professional schools. These are certainly important programs. However, a democratic society depends not only on its commercial productive output, but also on its social institutions, its understanding of their foundations and governing principles, as well as its understanding of how these policies and institutions affect its population. Research in social sciences and humanities, and especially Philosophy and Sociology, is vital to such an understanding. The contribution of academics to public debates is also of crucial importance to a well functioning democracy.

Students taking courses in these areas learn to think critically about their conditions, and the broader condition of the society and the world around them. But also the wider public and Brazilian society benefit from the intellectual expertise from philosophers and sociologists.

Thus an attack on Philosophy and Sociology, as well as the humanities and social sciences more generally, is an attack on the very fabric of a democratic society. We call on the Bolsonaro government to reconsider such proposals, and we call on all citizens of Brazil to join us in preserving public support of the social sciences and humanities in Brazil.

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5,022 signatures

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(Note: I have been informed that upon initially opening this page, in some browsers the above widget states that zero people have signed the letter. This is false. As of May 5th, there are over 3000 signatories. For those experiencing this problem, the actual number of signatories, as well as their names, will be visible after you sign the letter and refresh the page. Thanks to those who reported this issue.)

Latest Signatures
5,022 Dr. Stephen D. Nov 16, 2020
5,021 Ms Lisbeth D. Jun 11, 2020
5,020 Mr Kevin A. May 26, 2020
5,019 Mrs Judith A. May 26, 2020
5,018 Dr. Stephen S. May 12, 2020
5,017 Mr Benoit G. Jan 12, 2020
5,016 Dr. Patrick B. Jan 02, 2020
5,015 Dr. Harriet F. Dec 05, 2019
5,014 Dr. Rose C. Dec 04, 2019
5,013 Dr. Kimberley B. Dec 02, 2019
5,012 Dr. Priya K. Dec 02, 2019
5,011 Dr. Shawn S. Dec 02, 2019
5,010 Dr. Stephen C. Nov 29, 2019
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5,007 Dr. David F. Nov 28, 2019
5,006 Dr. Judith M. Nov 27, 2019
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5,001 Mr Antonio C. Nov 27, 2019
5,000 Dr. Blair S. Nov 27, 2019
4,999 Dr. Lydia S. Nov 27, 2019
4,998 Dr. Lorrayne C. Nov 27, 2019
4,997 Dr. Richard M. Nov 27, 2019
4,996 Mrs Olivia B. Nov 22, 2019
4,995 Dr. Erica Hua F. Nov 22, 2019
4,994 Mr Álvaro d. Nov 06, 2019
4,993 Dr. Greg D. Oct 23, 2019
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4,991 Ms Riccardo C. Oct 14, 2019
4,990 Ms Brittany B. Oct 14, 2019
4,989 Mr José M. Oct 09, 2019
4,988 Ms Flávia J. Oct 09, 2019
4,987 Ms Sophie D. Oct 09, 2019
4,986 Ms Juliana L. Oct 09, 2019
4,985 Ms Hanna J. Oct 08, 2019
4,984 Ms Carol P. Oct 08, 2019
4,983 Mr Andrew F. Oct 08, 2019
4,982 Dr. Evi C. Oct 08, 2019
4,981 Dr. Lara M. Oct 08, 2019
4,980 Mrs Carolina B. Oct 07, 2019
4,979 Mrs Michele W. Oct 07, 2019
4,978 Mr Gareth L. Oct 07, 2019
4,977 Ms Justine G. Oct 07, 2019
4,976 Ms Katherine H. Oct 07, 2019
4,975 Dr. Fiona M. Oct 07, 2019
4,974 Ms Nina K. Oct 07, 2019
4,973 Dr. Linnéa R. Oct 07, 2019