AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION: Good Practices Guide now includes sustainability guidelines.

Dear DAVID, The APA has released an updated version of the Good Practices Guide that includes a section on sustainability. Philosophers for Sustainability developed the new section, which was approved for inclusion in the Good Practices Guide by the APA board of officers in November 2019.   The new section on sustainability addresses the ways philosophers, departments, and institutions can take steps to mitigate climate change and increase awareness about sustainable practices through events, teaching, writing, governance, and public advocacy. The Good Practices Guide serves as a set of recommendations to help philosophers create and maintain an academic community based on mutual respect, fairness, inclusivity, and a commitment to scholarship and learning.   Download the Good Practices Guide.   If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about the section on sustainability, contact Philosophers for Sustainability. For suggestions or comments on any other part of the Good Practices Guide, submit the form on the APA website.   We hope you will find the Good Practices Guide to be a helpful resource and encourage you to share and discuss it with your colleagues and students.   All the best,   Amy E. Ferrer Executive Director

THE "EMPTY" ASSERTION: THE DEMAGOGUES BEST FRIEND....

"EMPTY" ASSERTION-  ANY STATEMENT, (WRITTEN OR ORAL), THAT CLAIMS TO BE FACTUAL, BUT HAS LITTLE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE OR DATA THAT CAN WITHSTAND PROPER SCRUTINY.  In many cases, the act of criticizing the Assertion is discouraged, AND IT MUST BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT QUALIFICATION.

THE EMPTY ASSERTION works best when it feeds into preconceived ideas and conclusions. It allows those with little Intellectual Evidence to support their opinions on certain issues, to make "FACTUAL CLAIMS" that are not based on the Rules of Logic. 

It gives the Opportunist the chance to prey on the Prejudice and Irrationality of those who don't want Reality and Truth to keep them from forcing their own brand of "TRUTH" on everyone else.

Some examples might include;

-  Inventing a causal relationship between certain groups, that their place of Birth or National Origin automatically indicates the Increased Chance that they are likely to carry a communicable disease. This is done without actually researching the statistics to back up this conclusion with factual data.

-  That the Existence of a Right according to Constitutional Law is found not to be Valid by Judicial Decision, will lead to an immediate Government crackdown to eliminate any trace of the Subject Matter ruled on before the Court.

-  That an Accusation of MORAL or CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT, automatically means there is Sufficient Grounds or Evidence, to make such a Statement.  In fact, there may be nothing at all.  The Accusation is just a Tool to mislead, and place an undeserved Tag on an Opponent or Rival Organization.

Remember, the "EMPTY ASSERTION" does not need to provide any Reasonable Explanation for anything that is said, or claimed to be true.

Help me stop them from destroying our progress. NANCY PELOSI.

I can't put into words how important what I'm about to say is: I need you. >> Being a Representative in the U.S. Congress has been a great privilege! I have fought to secure significant federal resources to create jobs, build public transportation and infrastructure, save academic institutions, preserve our pristine coastline, provide affordable housing, and lead the battle against HIV/AIDS. Under my Speakership, Democrats have delivered meaningful progress For The People to lower drug costs, protect our health care and create jobs with bigger paychecks. We have taken action to rebuild infrastructure and act on the climate crisis now; provide equal pay for equal work; restore Net Neutrality and voting rights; stop discrimination against the LGBTQ community, end the scourge of domestic violence and sexual assault, guarantee equal rights for all regardless of sex, and keep communities safe by passing common sense gun background checks; safeguard our veterans, workers, disability community, Dreamers and immigrants; defend our democracy, our elections and human rights around the world; and protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security from the devastating Republican special interest agenda. Since I held the Impeached Forever President accountable for his corruption, I've watched Republicans make unprecedented moves to smother and insult me. What’s more, they’ve dumped millions upon millions on lies and attacks. Now, more than ever, I need to know that my strongest supporters are behind me. To fend off these attacks, win my primary, and protect all we have accomplished, I urgently need you to have my back,  Can I count on you to pitch in.... We can't let up,

     Nancy.

Nancy is committed to doing whatever it takes to elect a record-breaking number of Democrats in 2020 and beyond. Can we count on your support?

DONATE

BLAST FROM THE PAST, 12/3/2018: "Respecting" Donald Trump. A short message.

*This is for the Television talk show hacks who are upset that we don't say "PRESIDENT" DONALD TRUMP  when addressing the occupant of the oval office, I have this response:

DONALD TRUMP WAS GIVEN THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT IN A SHAM ELECTION, FULL OF BOGUS RESULTS THAT WERE APPARENT TO ANYONE ACTUALLY PAYING ATTENTION. THE DISHONESTY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND THE DO NOTHING ATTITUDE OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP HAS BROUGHT US THE DISASTER WE ARE NOW LIVING THROUGH.

DONALD TRUMPS BEHAVIOR, ATTITUDE, AND PERFORMANCE WHILE IN OFFICE HAS PROVEN ONE THING: HE CARES VERY LITTLE FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, PREFERRING TO ALLY HIMSELF WITH EXTREMIST HATE GROUPS IN THE U.S., AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS THAT FEED HIS MEGALOMANIA.

DONALD TRUMP WILL GET RESPECT WHEN HE EARNS IT.