There’s always something fun brewing down at ye ol’ alma mater: Dear Dean Boor and Trustees of the University: As New York State organic farmers, we object to the presence of the “Alliance for Science” on the Cornell campus (http://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/). This advocacy group for the highly controversial agricultural genetic engineering industry, funded almost entirely by […]
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You want to get depressed? (1) See how the “Food Babe” is abusing the FOIA to smear, antagonize and intimidate Dr. Kevin Folta of the University of Florida’s Horticulture Department. (2) See the latest in the Krugman Chronicles. Classy world we live in. Did anyone ever learn manners?
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In my readings on political philosophy, even the most hard-core socialists, from the state-ownership clan to the anarcho-syndicalist-socialist clan seem to accede the fact that capitalism is “second best.” In other words, they craft a utopian vision for what a socialist world could look like, but since people are crooked, selfish, etc. then we must […]
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… I wished that people could stop for a moment to celebrate the life and contributions of people like Norman Borlaug. He is probably the greatest “farmer” of all-time, and arguably has done more good for humanity than the entire combination of leaders and rulers who have ever walked the face of this Earth. If […]
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Posted in Classical Liberalism, Economic Illiteracy, ethical foundations, Extended Order, Government Thuggery, History, Immigration, Inequality, Institutions, media, Politics on Nov 24th, 2015
Of course, I will not share my thoughts at Thanksgiving … but here goes (start at 1:14 if you don’t like stories. One reason I love folk music is the stories): Please do NOT interpret this to suggest that I think this is an open and shut issue, or that there are not legitimate questions […]
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This is disgusting, but not at all surprising. I suppose by connection that since I listen to talks and read work by Professor Folta that I, too, am a shill and unprofessional.
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Arnold Kling shares an email get received from the higher-ups at Swarthmore College: The managers of Swarthmore College agree that climate change is the most pressing issue of our time and that Swarthmore College can — and must — play a leadership role in helping to curb the seemingly insatiable appetite for fossil fuel. That’s my […]
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Posted in ethical foundations on May 3rd, 2015
From John Hardwig on the ethics of the expert: An ethics for experts must be an ethics that acknowledges that where there is expertise, knowledge is not in fact open and accessible to all; an ethics that recognizes that the expert’s reasons cannot be checked by the layperson and often will not even be intelligible […]
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Here is a good summary of the modern challenges facing philanthropists. Back when we had our student group this would have been a great topic for discussion. Aside from the obvious Hayekian concerns about knowledge and planning, the philosophical question of whether unborn future people can and should have a claim on us is difficult. […]
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The old Wonkbloggers are at it again. We are scolded that “It is not OK to have a second refrigerator.” I happen to have 2 fridges and 3 freezers in my house. Both his premise and conclusion are wrong and that’s entirely excepting the smug and offensive attitude. Without a lecture: 1. It very clearly […]
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