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Show PAGE A5 Letters to the Editor... — UVSC Philosophy department turns out quality students with quality education i encourage the diversity that fosters does everything he can to fix what Dear Editor, professors. Yes - their political academic growth. They encourage affections are different from the he sees as wrong. I am known as Conservative Sam direction they perceive UVSC to be the diversity necessary to establish established norm in our commuThis is an institution primarheading. Because of this, their sup- among philosophy majors. That a true education and not an assemnity, however, they value and even ily concerned with education. As port-comes with strings. They will nickname alone could point to a such, professors that encourage and withdraw the things UVSC needs - dare I paraphrase Hannity? - "lib- put a premium on fostering a dialog bly line of Bachelor's Degrees. between differing positions (a trait eral bias" in the philosophy departOne of the many values of our promote debate, both in and out of to accommodate growth and enjoy that most would say is lacking in ment. Listening to Dennis Potter Philosophy Department, and one the classroom, like Potter and like sucdess until and unless we start to this valley). of the only values {as I see it) to Minch, enrich the process of educadoi things their way. Herein lies the and Michael Minch would tend to cement that opinion. problem. tion for all. However, I have *Xfwe are operating to gain politiRespect for a philosophy caEstatus and generate money above attended classes at Unlike my classes at BYU, which have taught me not to ques- department isn't gained by aifowing for minority views and the BYU, I have worked tion the authority of my leader - be it academic or ecclesiasti- kowtowing to people afraid of frfere. exchange of ideas, our credibil- at Stanford, I have met ities an institution of higher educa- with professors at the cal (thereby condemning me to maintain the traditions of my difference. Respect is gained tion <is seriously compromised. Sure, University of Utah and by showing that you can listen forefathers), the philosophy department at UVSC understands to new ideas, consider them Michael Moore came, but I seriously at Berkeley and I will doubt whether a student in my for- be the first to "bear my thoughtfully and discard the that there is not "one true" idea in academia. They encourmerposition will ever be able to in- testimony" concerning dross, keeping the silver. Revite la speaker like him again. Also, the absolutely vital im- age the diversity that fosters academic growth. I spect is gained by proving you irvith'e wake of my forced resigna- portance of a diversity tion,'many faculty members wonder of opinions and conviccan learn. t if-they too write a book or article or tions in any field of education, even Unlike my classes at BYU, which the Moore Visit, is that it raises the And that is what we have in level of public debate and awareanything that might "Stir things up" more paramount in philosophy. have taught me not to question -ift our philosophy department. ness on our campus. Unlike the will they also be punished? the authority of my leader - be it My experiences in the Philosoacademic or ecclesiastical (thereby religious subscriptions of some, It'was personally very disappointed phy Club, the Philosophy Honors Potter's political convictions do not "Conservative Sam" Harrison condemning me to maintain the Society and in philosophy classes atiihe recent news that despite prefind expression simply one time a traditions of my forefathers), the from Ancient Greek to Issues in vious expectations, UVSC won't be Philosophy Major week for a few short hours. Potter philosophy department at UVSC Religious Thought have taught me I receiving the necessary funding for Provo does what every person has a right, understands that there is not "one i the new Digital Learning Center this something very significant about and even a responsibility, to do: he true" idea in academia. They yean, It's unfortunate. But I don't the character of our philosophy believe this is justification for relinjquishing our credibility as a real colilegethat allows real dialogue and diiversity. We can't function off threats and fears. We can't conform because of money or politics. UVSC needs to Dear Editor, options of onions, fresh tomatoes, stand for academic freedom no matgarlic, white wine, peas, pesto, and Our campus has serious probter what the cost. lems. Not only are we in a constant herbs... As John f. Kennedy once said, "We battle with the state legislators The new process is scooping nooarc not afraid to entrust the American over the definition and extent of stance he or she takes. Moreover, ** dles from a pot full of warm water, Dear Editor: people with unpleasant facts, foreign academic freedom, but today on Kim commits "the straw man fal- to Kim Thomson's letter to the ediputting a cup of limited mix-ins ideas, alien philosophies, and com- my lunch break, I discovered that lacy" by criticizing a statement that tor manifests a fundamental misinto the (gasp) microwave (double petitive values. For a nation that is the higher echelons in management gasp) and dropping cold sauce on understanding about the purpose of I made in the same issue. The in- $ afraid to let its people judge the truth have destroyed, I repeat, destroyed philosophy in higher education and terpretation of that statement does & the top, leaving the student to mix arid falsehood in an open market is a my favorite lunch food. We used not fit with its intent. My comment <** constitutes an unwarranted attack the cold, watery shit up into somenation that is afraid of its people." expressed that activists can know *& on our department. It is true that to have this fantastic rnake-yourthing quasi-edible. This, of course, that they are being effective when ,( •The right decision is difficult but own pasta creation bar where Socrates is purported to have said only takes 3 minutes to make, but clbar. UVSC must act as a college you picked your favorite veggies "I only know that 1 know nothing." they meet resistance on the part of ;, the time saved isn't even close to those in power. I did not claim that that values diversity and learning, or meats and had them sauteed However, this does not mean that compensating what we've lost. activists are always in the right.' •* nor as a business that responds to its into a sauce of your choice. This philosophers must all be skeptics. Now, arguments about the schools However, apparently lacking1 any base. •; ; What is more, it does not mean was then mixed into your boiled politics are understandable, censorgood arguments, Kim had to?distort that philosophers should not argue noodles and served as hot, steamy ing particular courses because of the obvious content of my claim in vehemently for their viewpoints goodness. Sounds great, doesn't content is questionable, but messusing the tools of reason and logic. order to argue against it. Finally, it? Well, it was. The time it took to ing with my food is unacceptable! Kim finishes the letter with another Michael Minch's article does just make this type of concoction was A line has been crossed and will version of the ad hominem fallacy that: he makes a reasoned argument well worth the wait. What I ate not be tolerated. Today I personally comparing the philosophy departfor the claim that Jesus' values today in the cafeteria is a disgrace started a boycott of the pasta bar. ment to "love sick school girls" are more in line with progressive IfJohced) values in tact and no longer to the name, "Italian Cafe." I was I'm now calling for campus wide while at the Michael Moore event. politics. allow these vehement displays of so angry I didn't even finish (a participation in the pasta protest. immorality so offensive they1 could rare occurrence for me, again just We will show no mercy to those Kim could have responded in a Kim has shown us why UVSC bc.seen at any supposedly- 'accred- highlighting the serious nature of who get in our way. logical way, criticizing Michael's needs a philosophy department. ited' university in the country, my plight). Gone are the freshly The inability to 1 P i t is this supposed 'accreditation' boiled noodles, gone are the saute make any kind It is true that Socrates is purported to Kiyomi Bolick you want, there is one such school pans, missing were the mix-in of cogent arguOrem forty miles to the north. And several have said, "I only know I know nothing." ment indicates others to the south, east, and west. an opportunity However, this does not mean that phi- for teaching. I We have a higher standard here - that :>fi The Community - and I implore losophers should not argue vehemently invite Kim to j$jto vigorously continue to ensure take either of for their viewpoints using reason and that The Community determines the two logic what this institution of learning can courses taught logic and cannot say. I am certain that the in our depart[rest of The Community would agree ment (philosowith me there. '; phy 1250 and 3000). I would be actual arguments. Instead, Kim's Dear Editor, communities at large. Nothing I J 1o , '• V delighted to help Kim learn to response employs only logical It is disappointing to read that wrote is "extremist," as Anderson v[:,\ express views in a more thoughtful fallacies. One such fallacy is "the my summary of Jesus as not being claims, in the sense that all of it and logical manner. With the likes appeal to authority" that Kim conservative is "drivel," as Kim falls well within the consensus of of Kay Anderson about, it would be employs by quoting Socrates, asThomson characterizes it. I simply theological and political theory good to have some well-reasoned suming that whatever Socrates says gave a view of Jesus virtually undiscourse. "conservative" voices in this com-/ all philosophers should believe. contested by all Christian theoloAs to Anderson's offense, almunity for a change. - ^ Another fallacy is a version of "the gians. though I had nothing to do with ad hominem fallacy" that Kim uses selecting the photo of Jesus wearThere is theological consensus when ridiculing my picture on an Dennis Potter, ing a Che T-shirt, I would remind on the view I presented, I offered earlier issue of the paper. Somehim that Jesus was a (nonviolent) nothing novel in this summary, Assistant Professor one's appearance is irrelevant to the revolutionary, again, as all theoloand I am unaware of any Christian tuSmed liberal policies such as the theologian who argues otherwise. gians agree. As for the claim that aforementioned housing projects Further and likewise, my summary my summary is "riddled with fallaand the current tax system that have of conservatism is standard and cies," it would be valuable for Analready failed to provide any sense conventional. What I think conderson to name one. His letter is oihEmpowerment and have actually ill less than civil in contributed to a further divide beit this regard. If he * E-Mail letters to uvscopinions@hotmail.com tween rich and poor. were to identify Although I had nothing to do with •^Progressives may gladly-throw a fallacy, then, as * The NetXNevvs room is located on campus in SC220. away meritocracy in exchange for I mention above, selecting the photo ofjesus wearing a eiquality, but fewer dreams and a it would properly void of hope are left behind as one's Che T-shirt, I would remind him that be directed to the * All letters become property of NetXNews and may be edited mbrits are tyrannically taken from entire theological for content, specifically clarity, length or other concerns at the Jesus was a nonviolent revolutionary. and/or political one's income. Excuse us conservadiscretion of the Opinions Editor. tives for hoping and believing in intheory communidividuality rather than a government at ties. that has proven itself ineffective and * Letters marked by their succinctness are more likely to be pub-. servatism is comports with what I suspect neither Thomson or Aninefficient all to often. lished; letters between 50-250 words are encouraged. Roger Scruton, John Kekes, George derson know enough about theolThe abandonment of the American Will, Wm. F. Buckley, and other ogy or conservatism to make their dream is an unacceptable proposi- highly-regarded conservatives say ft unsupportable claims. 1 * Letters must be accompanied by full name, address, and phone tion based on the idea that it is un- it is. Whatever "drivel" Anderson number for verification purposes (contact information will not be attainable. The dream is attainable detected must also be found in the Michael Minch irtilrnany and growing among .the theological and political theory published). Occupation, title or major is optional. at Assitant Professor remaining. O UVSC food services UVSC Philosophy Department A defense of Jesus' politics LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |