Brian Leiter's Blog, page 25

Suspicious job search in philosophy at the University of Genoa

A philosopher in Italy (not in Genoa) called these search materials to my attention, referring to the outcome of the search as an "academic scandal." (My thanks to this philosopher for help translating the materials). Briefly, the Department of Philosophy...

"The Elephant in the Room" in the debate over "judicial reform" in Israel

A powerful statement signed by many leading Israeli academics (including philosopher David Enoch, among others): We, academics and other public figures from Israel/Palestine and abroad, call attention to the direct link between Israel���s recent attack on the judiciary and its...

Steven Salaita is now back in academia

I was pleased to see that Professor Salaita has (finally) found an academic position, as Professor of English at the American University in Cairo. Readers may recall that Professor Salaita was unlawfully fired by the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for...

First the "heckler's veto," now the "lone wolf's veto"

SUNY Fredonia still does not want to let philosopher Stephan Kershnar (earlier coverage) back on campus, arguing in court that "the potential unseen threat from some lone 'pseudo warrior' quietly planning a violent attack on campus ��� triggered by Kershnar���s...

Philosopher Edward Halper talks about Aristotelian metaphysics...

...with Richard Marshall at 3:16 AM.

Could LLMs become conscious?

Philosopher David Chalmers, a leading philosopher of mind, explores the question.

Great moments in (not so obscure) rock 'n' roll: Robbie Robertson memorial edition

Best-known as the guitarist and primary composer for The Band, he died this week at 80. The first two albums by The Band really are "classics" in the rock 'n' roll genre. Here's two of my favorite songs, each written...

The bloodbath at West Virginia University [sic]

We noted earlier this summer the mismanagement that precipitated this crisis, but now the details are coming into focus, with dozens of programs, including philosophy, affected. As CHE reports: In the face of a $45-million deficit, the university���s leadership has...

Northeast Normativity Conference offering a paper prize funded by submission fees

I haven't seen this before: those who submit papers to the conference pay a fee ($22), which is used to generate prize money. Conference participants review and then vote on which paper deserves the prize. I'm curious what readers think...

Remembering Vito Marcantonio

The most honorable, humane and forward-looking American congressman of the 20th-century died on this day in 1954.