News
CategoryUkraine/Russia Open Thread
This post is for the discussion of various aspects of Russia’s war on Ukraine, as well as links to various materials, including (but not limited to) commentary from philosophers and other scholars, interviews and news reports of interest, resources for following developments, measures taken to assist Ukrainian scholars and others, and so on. (more…)
Stefan Heßbrüggen-Walter Resigns from Russia’s Higher School of Economics
Stefan Heßbrüggen-Walter has resigned from his position as associate professor of philosophy with tenure at National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow, with a letter publicly excoriating the university administration and others for their behavior in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (more…)
Ways to Help Ukraine
Daniel (Daniil) M. Ozernyi of Northwestern University writes:
I am a Ukrainian. I am sure you are aware of the situation which befell my country over the last few days. (more…)
Belarusian Philosopher, Imprisoned Since August, Is Now on Hunger Strike
Uladzimir Mackievič (Matskevich), a philosopher in Belarus who has been critical of Alexander Lukashenko, the country’s longtime dictator, has been in prison since last August, charged with “organizing of actions that grossly violate public order.” Owing to lack of progress with his case, he began a hunger strike on February 4th. (more…)
Former Postdoc Allegedly Threatens Philosophy Department (several updates)
A former postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) yesterday by email made “general threats… against the philosophy department and members of it,” according to a message circulated in the department. (more…)
2021 In Review
This is the end, philosofriends…
bell hooks (1952-2021) and the Canon
Gloria Jean Watkins, the writer better known as bell hooks, died earlier this week. (more…)
Immanuel Kant’s Critical Race Theory
Immanuel Kant is in the news today following the discovery that he basically invented critical race theory. (more…)
Experimenting with Higher Education (updated)
A new university is being created by a group of academics and media personalities who, unlike you and your university, care about the truth: (more…)
Kathleen Stock Resigns from Sussex
Kathleen Stock has resigned from her position as professor of philosophy at the University of Sussex. (more…)
Philosophy Professor Claims To Be Threatened With Dismissal for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine
Julie Ponesse, a philosophy professor at Western University’s Huron College, says in a video that she is facing “imminent dismissal” by the university for her refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. (more…)
University to Faculty Concerned about Covid: “Beg”
“We are discouraged from “sharing Covid data that is not related to the course.” Presumably, nattering on about the state’s overburdened hospitals, worn-down physicians, and increasing death counts might constitute “pressure,” and faculty “should not pressure students to get vaccinated or wear a mask.” The most we can do is “encourage.” In practice, these guidelines..
Biden Nominates Amy Gutmann as Ambassador to Germany
Political theorist Amy Gutmann, currently President of the University of Pennsylvania, has been nominated by President Joseph Biden to be the next U.S. ambassador to Germany.
PSA Joins ACLS
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), a non-profit federation of scholarly associations that, among other things, provides research funding for academics, has added the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA) as a member organization. (more…)
$2 Million Gift Endows Kierkegaard Chair at St. Olaf
The Department of Philosophy at St. Olaf College will soon have a new endowed position—the Kierkegaard Chair in Christian Philosophy—thanks to a $2 million gift to the school. (more…)
NDPR to Publish More Reviews; New Editor Named
Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews (NDPR), the well-known philosophical book review site whose production schedule had slowed owing to the death of editor Gary Gutting in 2019, will soon be ramping up its publication of reviews, and will be doing so under a new editor. (more…)
Philosopher Named to White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
Kyle Whyte, the George Willis Pack Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, has been named to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. (more…)
NSF Bill Emphasizes Ethics, Includes Ethics Grants
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has introduced a bill for the funding of the National Science Foundation (NSF) that includes a noticeable emphasis on ethics in science. (more…)
Philosophy Prof’s Lawsuit Against University On Addressing Trans Students Reinstated
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has reversed an earlier dismissal of a philosophy professor’s lawsuit against his employer, Shawnee State University, for violating his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
Bye-Bye, 2020
Sometimes you have to zoom out and see the bigger picture to find the good news.
New Center for Knowledge, Technology and Society at UC Irvine
The University of California, Irvine has created a Center for Knowledge, Technology and Society. (more…)
We Still Have Work To Do
Joseph Biden has defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. (more…)
Lecturer Fired Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
A lecturer who taught philosophy-related courses at Tembusu College, which is a part of the National University of Singapore (NUS), was fired by the university following an investigation of two allegations against him of sexual misconduct. (more…)
Notre Dame President and Philosopher Contracts COVID-19 after White House Visit
John Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame and member of the univerity’s Department of Philosophy, has contracted COVID-19 after visiting the White House at the end of last month for the ceremony announcing the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. (more…)
Edinburgh’s Philosophers on the Renaming of Hume Tower
Seven philosophers at the University of Edinburgh have written individual responses to the university’s interim decision to rename Hume Tower. (more…)
Oxford Launches Institute for Ethics in AI with Team of Philosophers
Oxford University is bringing on three philosophy professors, two philosophy postdoctoral fellows, and two philosophy graduate students to comprise the initial academic team for its new Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence. (more…)
University Pandemic Policies as Business Ethics Case Studies
Earlier this week, the University of South Carolina noted on its COVID-19 “dashboard” that 27.7% of the students tested for the virus were infected with it. (more…)
One Week Into Semester, UNC Chapel Hill Switches to Fully Online (Updated)
One week into the semester, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill administration reversed its decision to open its campus for teaching and housing, and moved all instruction online, owing to its inability to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus among the student population. (more…)