Politics – African Century Journal

Joshua Glasgow: Confusing genocide and racism

jeudi 1 octobre 2020

Racism is assumed in most Western philosophy to be a singular and widespread phenomena. However we should consider whether racism is more like a virus or bacteria. It can evolve and adapt to different environments. In addition some virus and bacteria mutate from virulent to innocuous and back again. Racism could be a family of human behaviours. While we identify the virulent strain as objectionable any suggestion that elements of it are widespread might suggest that the underlying behaviour…

Julian Baggini: Hume and the genteel racism of British philosophy

dimanche 20 septembre 2020

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| General, history, Policy, Politics

Baggini has written a piece in Prospect magazine ‘ Is the University of Edinburgh right to “cancel” David Hume?’ 15 Sep 2020. He is seeking to defend Hume from accusations of racism while accepting his ‘unfortunate’ statements. He writes: ‘Hume was both a product of his time and like people of every time, had his blind spots.’ This statement implies that Hume’s views were uncontroversial during his time. This is completely untrue. His views were seriously challenged and…

Fear and trembling in UK Philosophy departments – the case of Dr Liam Kofi Bright

lundi 10 août 2020

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| General, literature, Policy, Politics

It is with some hesitation that we address this issue and mention names. It does seem to be both important and implausible without naming names. With the insurgency of BLM Dr Kofi Bright may be able to find some cover. On 8 November 2019 in London Dr Bright, assistant professor in philosophy at London school of Economics, gave a public lecture on ‘Why do scientists lie?’ for the Royal Institute of Philosophy. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNs1sumAT68&t=774s) Only the formal lecture is presented…

Skidelsky – Is Economics color blind?

mardi 28 juillet 2020

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| Economics, Policy, Politics

Skidelsky writes on 20 July 2020 in Project Syndicate: ‘I still regard economics’ detachment from culture as a serious shortcoming in understanding human behavior. But I now see considerable merit in this cultural neutrality, because it provides a “safe space” for thinking amid the culture wars that currently convulse the non-scientific intelligentsia and about which journalists love to pontificate.’ and later: ‘Another point in favor of economics is its valid claim to be color- and gender-blind. ‘ Skidelsky, R….

Cornel West – prophet or turncoat?

dimanche 7 juin 2020

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| history, Policy, Politics, Uncategorized

Cornel West was once considered part of a triptych including Skip Gates, and Anthony Appiah, representing the Black Academy. This triptych can be viewed as either the leading edge of the Black Academy or a rogue’s gallery. Let us put this in context so as to understand the connection with Trump. We need to understand the historical dynamics that generated this context. For several decades ‘the conservative moment’ involved suppressing dissent of both left and right by denying it…

Failure of US journalism

dimanche 31 mai 2020

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| General, Policy, Politics

After the widespread diffusion of the video of the assault on George Floyd rioting broke out in US cities calling for the arrest and charging of the police officers involved. There was considerable expressed surprise that when the demands were met the riots escalated. ‘The turmoil was on display a short distance from the White House, where President Trump had called earlier in the day for his supporters to rally. Instead, hundreds of protesters mobilized on the streets of…

Coming collapse of US cultural dominance:

mercredi 27 mai 2020

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| General, history, Policy, Politics

At the present time the world dominance of US culture seems uncontestable. However closer scrutiny would show that the world is a far more complex place and the apparent dominance can be less than it seems. First, we can begin with the humorous. I remember listening to an American in the 1980’s describe the coming world dominance of US culture as inevitable and universal and as a proof and precursor he pointed to the ubiquity of the ‘Walkman’. It…