Accepted in Russia
I found out yesterday that my book Philosophical Provocations was chosen for discussion at the Center for Cosnciousness Studies at Moscow State University. I can’t imagine that happening today in America. So Russia is more rational and academically free than America. Isn’t this downright embarrassing?
Don’t know if I’d go quite that far. But, all of your books should be chosen for discussion in America. I still can’t believe that there aren’t some quarters left in academic America where your talks or lectures wouldn’t be welcome.
None that I know of. Ridiculous situation.
I want to register my agreement and say that this blackballing should end. Being in a state permanent exile from the mainstream academic philosophy is a harsh fate for someone to have to endure, who spent the majority of their adult life being apart of and freely contributing to that community. As a punishment for wrongdoing, this is clearly disproportionate. But when you add other penalties into the mix–notably losing one’s primary source of livelihood, being publicly subject to shame and censure, being cast in a bad light all over the vulgar online media–it is overwhelmingly disproportionate, and cruel I might add.
Only one whose moral sense has been vitiated by vengeful feelings (of which there are many in the US, both inside and outside academic philosophy) could think otherwise. Those of you whose moral sense is in tact should recognize the wrong that is being done and figure out a way to–tactfully and without undue violence to your own interests–speak up against it. It will bespeak the moral sanity and judiciousness of the American philosophical community if Mcginn is welcomed back and allowed to participate again. Not only that, but the community will be greatly enriched by his valuable contributions, as he remains without a doubt one of the most vigorous, subtle and imaginative philosophers alive today.
That is very well put and a welcome voice of sanity. What is amazing is that it needs to be said at all. I am not optimistic about the moral probity of the philosophical community in America, given what I have experienced so far.
Also bear in mind, that it is wise, when many things of value are being called into question by nihilistic political actors, philosophy departments among them, to have as many moral legs to stand on as possible. You don’t want to get in the habit of thinking in terms of–and representing by your deeds–the same amorality that may eventually come to threaten undermine your existence as academic philosophers do you?
Right–and always good to remind people of what is in their own long-term best interests when their moral sense flags.