Philosophy Without Morality
Little Green Footballs
At Boise State University, a graduate student in the esteemed Bowling Green University philosophy program defended a thesis entitled: “In Defense of Terrorism: When is it Permissible to Target Children?”
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BGSU, it seems, may be taken not only as a paragon of academic excellence per se but also as an exemplar of American intellectualism; it is the apotheosis of both philosophy the contemporary American university. Accordingly, it may justifiably be considered as reflective of the general collegiate climate, as an anemometer, so to speak, for the winds of madness which oft ravage its formerly fertile terrain.
What are we to make, then, of the fact that one of its most highly-touted graduate students will defend - in the field of Applied Ethics, no less - a thesis entitled: “In Defense of Terrorism: When is it Permissible to Target Children?” What are we to make of the fact that, in all likelihood, he will not be condemned but lauded for his sophistry? And what are we to make of the fact that BGSU, which boasts one of the nation’s most prestigious philosophy programs, has not merely admitted such an individual into its ranks but has also sent him across the nation for speaking engagements?
For that is precisely what they have done. On Thursday, March 10, the “philosopher” in question, a Mr. Jason Gatliff, returned to Boise State University, his alma mater, to give a speech on just this topic. The speech was paid for by the Boise State University Philosophy Department - and BSU, like BGSU, is a public institution. This fact, it must be noted, imbues the following account of his argument with an irony that is infinite, sweet, and rich.
stanford.edu
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