Today’s America July 4, 2010

The NY Times called upon three philosophers to answer the question, “What is the philosophical theme, or themes, in the Declaration of Independence that should be recalled in today’s America?”. And guess what? They chose three white guys. We don’t know what led them to this selection– perhaps they asked lots of others, who turned them down. But we do know that a high profile article like this will help to shore up the already quite strong implicit tendency to assume that philosophers are white and male. Or at least that those we should call on to discuss the founding principles of America are.

(Thanks to Ruthann Robson for the link!)

Sunday big cat July 4, 2010

For this week’s Sunday cat, I thought I’d share some very cute little big cats I was lucky enough to encounter recently. (When they grow up they get a big safari park to run around and chase gazelles in.)