The title of this blog post, is of course, a reference to Paul Feyerabend's famous (or if you prefer, infamous) slogan "anything goes". But a careful reading of Feyerabend shows that he didn't really mean literally, "anything goes". My immediate goal however is not to defend or critique Feyerabend per se, at least not today. … Continue reading Can anything go?
Author: Citizen Rat
I teach courses in Economics and International Relations at Shawnee State University, a small public University in Southern Ohio. I also teach and train in Shotokan Karate.The opinions expressed on this blog are my own opinions and do not represent the views of my University or any other organization.
In Defense of a Modest Scientism
Not surprisingly, Steven Pinker's new book, Enlightenment Now , has already generated significant controversy. Since I haven't read the book yet, I won't comment on the book itself. Suffice it to say, it does seem that Pinker's critics (see for example here and here ) are raising some valid points in arguing that Pinker has oversimplified … Continue reading In Defense of a Modest Scientism
Initial Reflections on today’s exchange.
I had a great discussion/exchange of views today with my friend and colleague in the English and Humanities Department, Mich Niyawalo, on The Economic Consequences of the Peace. I can say quite honestly that I learned a bit from Mich's presentation and our conversation afterwards. Professor Niyawalo will be providing me with a written text … Continue reading Initial Reflections on today’s exchange.
Reading The Economic Consequences of the Peace: Keynes as Political Economist or Albert Einstein in the Patent Office.
Chip Poirot, Professor of Economics, Shawnee State University. Outline of remarks intended for presentation at Shawnee State University’s “Faculty Festival of Achievement”, February 19, 2018. Students or others who are unfamiliar with some of the events, people and ideas may wish to explore these in more detail. I have bolded terms that may be … Continue reading Reading The Economic Consequences of the Peace: Keynes as Political Economist or Albert Einstein in the Patent Office.
Chapters IV, V and VI
In today's entry, I will finish my initial summary and analysis of The Economic Consequences of the Peace. My hope is that by Sunday evening I will have at least bare bones sketch of my presentation for our Faculty Festival of Achievement. And with my colleague's permission, I will post both my presentation and his. … Continue reading Chapters IV, V and VI
Chapter 3 of the Economic Consequences: Wilson vs. Clemenceau.
In Chapter 3 of the Economic Consequences of the Peace Keynes sets forth his analysis of why President Woodrow Wilson failed to gain acceptance of his Fourteen Points. Put simply, perhaps even a bit simplistically, Keynes' explanation is that Wilson was simply not prepared, given his overall temperament, to confront the more polished, persistent, and … Continue reading Chapter 3 of the Economic Consequences: Wilson vs. Clemenceau.
Post-Modernism’s cul de sac.
The original title of this post "Should Post Modernism Die?" created misunderstanding and has now been changed to better reflect the point I was trying to make. Critiques of "Post Modernism" are not limited to the right or popular culture. For example, see Chomsky's Critique of Focault or the response of multiple Pragmatists such as Hilary … Continue reading Post-Modernism’s cul de sac.
Economic Consequences: Chapter 2
I want to begin my analysis of Chapter 2 with a couple of prefatory comments. We can read a work such as Economic Consequences of the Peace as a work unto itself. Alternatively, we can permit ourselves the luxury of putting the work into the larger context of the body of the author's work. Both have … Continue reading Economic Consequences: Chapter 2
Announcing: The Economic Consequences of the Peace. An Exchange.
A colleague of mine and I in the English and Humanities Department at my University (Shawnee State University) will be working on a project on John Maynard Keynes' "The Economic Consequences of the Peace." We are starting with an exchange during an event sponsored annually at my University called "Faculty Festival of Achievement". I will … Continue reading Announcing: The Economic Consequences of the Peace. An Exchange.
Teaching Anti-Labor Lessons
I’m probably as guilty as anyone of criticizing millennials. In fairness though, I hope that all of us who are for example, past the age of “Generation X” understand that the refrain “kids these days” is a perpetual one. And if we are unhappy with what the kids are doing, we need look no farther … Continue reading Teaching Anti-Labor Lessons
Citizen Rat 