Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
In the tradition of Saul Alinsky, Bill Ayers, and other Friends of POTUS, Brian Leiter, a Chicago philosophy prof, makes this delightfully radical assertion at his blog:
the Republican criminals in Wisconsin forced through their attack on workers' rights, leading to an uproar in Madison. ... At some point these acts of brazen viciousness are going to lead to a renewed philosophical interest in the question of when acts of political violence are morally justified, . . . (emphasis mine)
(h/t Volokh Conspiracy). Even in his ivory tower speak ("renewed philosophical interest"), it is clear that Leiter thinks that Walker's move to limit -- not eliminate -- collective bargaining rights for public employees is literally something that might justify, say, killing a bunch of Republicans. In an update to his blog, here's how this philosopher-king explains his rationale:
"1. Collective bargaining is, per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a human right.
2. There are circumstances in which violations of human rights call for unawlful actions, including violence."
And that's it. Because the elected representatives of the People of Wisconsin want to pass a law that may conflict with some charter passed by a bunch of unelected UN windbags (but never enshrined in US law), Leiter wants blood. And this from a professor at U. Chicago, for pity's sake. Hillsdale College, save us!
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Dec '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
I honestly wish this were more shocking. The Tea Party gathers peacefully on weekends and holidays to voice their concern about 1/6 of the national economy being annexed by the federal government...and we're told the end of civility is nigh. John Stewart furrows his brow and Chris Matthews wrings his hands over the fever pitch of political discourse when only some conservatives use nearly-accurate words like "socialism" to describe the policies of the president and progressive Democrats in congress.
But when movies made by liberals depict a sitting president being assassinated, it's art. When Wisconsin Republicans can't go to work over security concerns, they are getting what they deserve. And when leading intellectuals at prestigious universities say vile things like this dude from U of Chicago, it's just free speech.
It's frustrating, this double-standard, but I'm just glad I've had my eyes opened to the silliness of it all. I'm just glad I'm on the right side.
Oct '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Would like to see a list of what this mindset considers Human Rights...
Any Human Rights opinions from the UN body should be rejected out of hand considering the membership and histories of participants...
Perhaps the UN HQ. should be relocated to the Sudan or Somalia, maybe the Congo.
Jul '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
I bet this guy weighs 135 pounds, dripping wet. And throws a baseball like a sissy.
Sep '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Its a proud moment when Ed Feser's blog stalker aka Brian Leiter shows up to entertain the crowd here on Ricochet. Brian Leiter's been entertaining Catholic Theocrats (trademark and patent pending) over at Ed's blog for years with his ephedrine-based logic. I'm pleased to see that Brian continues his trajectory toward total dyspeptic hysteria while completing the Miele rinse cycle.
Welcome, Brian. Enjoy the veal.
Mar '11
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
"Collective Bargaining" is not a right (Definitely not a "human right" in the sense that it is usually used). They have every right to ask to bargain about compensation, and the government has every right to ignore them and implement any compensation scheme they wish. And then they have a right to quit and take their skills elsewhere.This is elementary.
To call for violent action, or even raucous disapproval and civil disobedience is a mockery to actual causes which warrant such action. Such as equal protections under the law and freedoms of speech and association. Yet in the mind of a simpleton, who has been taught to hate free markets in all its forms, the free market of ideas and skills which make up the private sector is simply too difficult to understand and too scary to enter after years of living with parents, living in college and grad school and them simply living off the excesses of a nanny state government employer, eager to spice the deal of election with goodies paid for from the pockets of teh private sector.
Jun '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Unions have been unfairly treated in one respect. They invented the fully-programmable industrial robot, and got no credit for it.
Jul '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Notice that the "Leiter Doctrine" in no way recognizes the sovereign people of the state of Wisconsin and the power they have vested in their legislators. Even the fleebaggers. Note that if the "Universal Doctrine of Human Rights" were actually universal, the adjective would not be required in the name.
But the Leiter Doctrine does recognize the sovereignty of the UN, a diplomatic club, over the people of Wisconsin. Leiter on the threat of religion:
Locke, it is fair to say, did not fully appreciate the extent to which states and—in capitalist societies—private entities can employ sophisticated means to effectively coerce belief, means that are both more subtle and more effective than he imagined. That history offers up so many examples of societies in which the tyranny of the few over the many is accepted by the many as a quite desirable state of affairs is compelling evidence that states can successfully inculcate beliefs, even dangerously false beliefs. Locke’s “instrumental” argument for a practice of toleration should provide little comfort to the defender of toleration given Locke’s (understandable) failure to appreciate the full complexity of the psychology and sociology of belief inculcation.
-- "Why Tolerate Religion", 2006
Edited on Mar 14, 2011 at 9:27pmJul '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Translation: The brainwashed masses need Brian Leiter to show them the way, not these dangerous "religions".
Oct '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Was he bullied because of big ears too?
Jan '11
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
I've been trying to extol and defend philosophers.
Now I feel like Charlie Sheen's publicist.
Aug '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Leiter has a joint phil/law position here. The law dept. can have him.
I've actually not met the guy, but now I want to stop by his office. I'll bring a baseball, ask him to throw it and report back.
Jul '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
All these pinhead academics encouraging violence.
If they actually got violence, they wouldn't like the result.
Oct '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Sounds like this guy is worried the university cuts Walker is proposing could happen to him (and his own, clearly useless and pathetic, job).
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
I am knee-deep in papers to grade, in a conference report to write up, and in a book review to complete (believe it or not there is such a thing as academic work, and when it rains, it pours): so I can only comment briefly. In the squib cited above from his essay arguing against the toleration of religion, Professor Leiter argues that a proper appreciation of "the full complexity of the psychology and sociology of belief inculcation," something that John Locke purportedly did not possess, would relieve us of the illusion that we have the capacity to form our own opinions and govern ourselves. Like a good philosopher king, he appears to be prepared to relieve us of this burden.
His appeal to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is on its face absurd. That declaration also lists religious freedom as a human right.
Dec '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Years ago when I lived in Madison, I spoke with a student who had an instructor who was in on the bombings that occurred during the 1960s and bragged about it to his class. Amazing how some things never change.
Additionally, can you imagine the outcry from the MSM that would occur if the Tea Party advocated this kind of action and engaged in this sort of rhetoric?
Jul '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
What is so sacred about academic tenure? If he is talking about violence to overthrow an election, shouldn't he be worried about keeping his job?
Sep '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Likely due to the extensive involvement that the late Jacques Maritain had on its drafting.
Edited on Mar 15, 2011 at 5:42amJan '11
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
That is to say, presidential.
May '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Another item for the "if a conservative had said this..." file.
Aug '10
Re: Chicago Prof Calls for Violence in Wisconsin
Hey, they can't look like the One. Imagine a softball game with Obama, Michelle, Bill Ayers, and Bernadine Dohrn. I can bet who can hit the ball the farthest.