Brian Leiter's Blog, page 1429

Two Philosophers Elected to British Academy

They are Terence Irwin (Oxford University) and Shalom Lappin (King's College, London). Lappin, it will be recalled, had his job threatened at KCL, before the international outcry led the administration, wisely, to reconsider its plans. But think about it: administrators,...

"Three Minute Philosophy"

This episode: Kant's ethics. Rather amusing. (Thanks to Daniel Groll for the pointer.)

Mark C. Taylor (Columbia Religion Dept.) is an Ignorant Menace

Professor Taylor--whom we've encountered previously arguing for "transforming" universities by destroying them and cheerleading for Derrida, has now weighed in, with his characteristic lack of insight and knowledge, on the subject of tenure. Put aside the absurdity of a postmodernist...

An Open Letter to Article Referees

Here.

Putting Ayn Rand's Corpus to Good Use

A fine idea here.

Thank God the rich are doing OK in these difficult times...

...but are there any philosophers among the "Ultras"?

"Legal Formalism and Legal Realism: What is the Issue?"

I have posted on SSRN a review essay of Brian Tamanaha's interesting recent book Beyond the Formalist-Realist Divide: The Role of Politics in Judging (Princeton University Press, 2010). This paper is not likely to be of general philosophical interest, but...

Railton on Bloggingheads TV Discussing Evolution and Morality...

...with the journalist Robert Wright. You can discuss the issues at the NHC's "On the Human" forum. A written version of Railton's thoughts appears at the NY Times philosophy blog; the comments there, as usual, are fairly hopeless, confirming again...

This threat to academic freedom comes from the private sector...

...and with the complicity of many of the scientists involved. So far no indication that British Petroleum is buying up any philosophers! More details here.

Another Big Templeton Grant for Philosophy

This time to Christian Miller (Wake Forest) and colleagues for "The Character Project." The Wake Forest press release is here.