19 March, 2026
Philosophers like savage book reviews. The typical milquetoast review offers some criticism leavened with a teaspoon of praise. For example, while the author has “inadvertently demonstrated that his theory of self-knowledge collapses under sustained scrutiny,” the book is nonetheless a “valuable contribution.” Boring.
Quassim Cassam’s review of Michael Devitt and Kim Sterelny’s Lang...
The article portrays a microcosm of escalating anxieties surrounding academic discourse on gender identity, revealing a complex interplay of personal relationships, institutional power, and perceived ideological pressures. Byrne’s narrative centers around a classic “sealioning” scenario – initially invited to contribute, then subjected to a humiliating and opaque rejection, amplified by the involvement of established figures like Haslanger and Antony. The core pattern evident here is the *Motte-...