Without the state

Racism

I don't understand racism. Although it depends on the idea of the superiority of a particular genetic inheritance, in practice that is meaningless and anyone in the UK will have a pretty mixed inheritance.

The freed slaves in the UK disapppeared without trace into the general population. Waves of immigration to these islands over the centuries have brought in people from across Europe and beyond. There is evidence for example of trading links between South West England and the Middle East. It seems inconceivable that those traders didn't leave a baby or two behind. Similarly, the track of the Armada around the north of Scotland and Ireland led to many shipwrecked Spaniards who then lived out their life in the communities in which they were washed up, bringing with them their own mix of Southern Europe and North African genes.

A google search on my surname shows it spread across Northern Europe - especially Germany, Netherlands and Denmark. I found at least one Rabbi. I know that I have at least one Catholic priest as a distant cousin and other relatives who were nonconformists of various types.

Anyone born in the UK and Europe - and that means in North America, Australia, New Zealand too will have a very wide genetic and religious background.

Racism is a denial of your heritage, not an affirmation.

Liberalism, socialism, marxism

If I were to argue that there is no substantive difference between George Bush and Hitler, I would rightly be criticised. However illiberal Bush and his cronies may be, he is not another Hitler. Why therefore do the right persist in conflating socialism with Marxism, pretending that the totalitarianism of Stalin is in some way the inevitable consequence of support for the European social democratic tradition? At best it is lazy thinking - in practice thought it is often straight forward dishonesty - political sleight of hand used to hide the nastier elements of right wing thought.

Sidney Morgenbesser

Coming pretty late to any systematic approach to philosophy, I have to confess that Sidney Morgenbesser was not a name I knew. The many recent tributes to him - of which this is justthe latest could give the impression of a sharp tongued man who despite his tremendous wit was probably not one to cross. This article however gives a softer picture of a man who seems to have been able to inspire great loyalty and devotion in his friends. Since it seems he wrote little, I suspect my knowledge of him will always be indirect - in the reflection of him through other's eyes.

I wonder though - what profession would someone of his powers choose today? Would they still choose philosophy?

Hiatus

I don't expect to get back to posting until at least the middle of the week.

Getting older

As I get older, I find some of the views of younger people about what that means to be increasingly bizarre. In particular there seems to be a tendency to assume that once you get to retirement, you immediately start reminiscing about the war and listening to Vera Lynn. It just ain't so as Ronni Bennett's blog demonstrates. Follow the links to some of her 'older bloggers' and see the range of responses and attitudes.

Canyon Poster

Hiatus

Because of a death in the family I'm unlikely to be posting anything for the next week. I have a few posts in preparation which may appear if I get them finished today. Otherwise - see you next week.

Asilah, Morocco #2

Asilah, Morocco

For Sale...

Putting all these photographs up means it is a good time to remind people that they are for sale...

Just click in the right hand side bar for details of how to buy. Don't forget to look at more of my images - lots of them - on Fotolog