I was reminded of Sidney Morgenbesser this morning. He was the John Dewey Professor of Philosophy at Colombia and famous for pithy summaries. A Times obituary said that he had the analytical acuity of Spinoza and the blunt wit of Groucho Marx. On being asked to describe his job, he replied: "You make a few distinctions. You clarify a few concepts. It’s a living." Indeed.
It was Sussex's admirable philosopher, Kathleen Stock, who reminded me of Morgenbesser. She was quoted in today's Times saying: "Concepts aren't umbrellas or shelters for whoever wants to come in – that's not what concepts do. They're cognitive tools." Indeed, again.
Stock was commenting on the egregiousness of Leicester University's take on International Womxn's Day. Enough said.
Respond