My mortal enemy, the unspeakable Hunter Baker (don’t buy his book) relates a positive experience with colleagues in his new teaching gig, over at his blog.
A female colleague in the sciences opened our discourse by asking the philosopher, “Why did you find this author’s argument either intereresting or persuasive?” She quickly followed that by adding, “Because I didn’t.” In many circles, her question and comment would set up a quick ending to the discussion. Instead, she merely piqued our interest as the philosopher patiently explained his choice and his opinion. Soon, we were well down the road in trying to find some common ground. Before I knew it, over two hours had passed.
Maybe there’s hope for the nation after all.
Baker has nothing on you, man. Let him go.
Baker delenda est!
Is a Hunter Baker anything like a hunter-gatherer?
It pleases me each and every time Lars Walkers deigns to take notice of me. He is absolutely one of my favorite writers. If, for any reason, he should express displeasure with me, either sincerely or in fun, I know that it is fully warranted!!!!
🙂
Dr. Baker, you are failing to enter into the spirit of the exercise.
“Baker delenda est!”
This made me laugh uncontrollably.
I think it was the italics that did it.
(You should make it your new e-mail signature.)
One of the things I loved best about my college days was the way it was possible to debate and dissect the new (to us, at least) ideas with which we were becoming conversant. This was particularly true during my time at St. John’s College in Santa Fe where we had twice weekly seminars on our required readings starting with the ancient Greek classics. My daughter is in college now, and such debates as occur even in class tend to be neither civil nor enlightening, never mind the ones that occur on an extracurricular basis. I find it heartbreaking to witness, and am profoundly irritated at having to pay for an education that is all too frequently merely indoctrination.
Why does Lars hate Hunter Bakers so much?
Because Hunter Bakers get their books plugged by Andrew Klavan and Adam Baldwin. Any reasonable mind will recognize the injustice of this.