I recently learned that Dr. Francis Beckwith, one of my favorite philosophy professors here at UNLV when I was an undergraduate and an affable and prolific scholar, has been denied tenure at Baylor University. From the published accounts so far, it looks like Beckwith’s open support of a pro-life, pro-intelligent design position is what did him in, despite the fact that he has a stellar publication and teaching record. The tenure committee was apparently stacked against him by some influential Baylor professors and alumni who were hostile to Beckwith’s views. In my opinion, this is a serious error on Baylor’s part and, as might be expected, is drawing considerable negative press (see, for example, here, here, here, here, and here). The case is currently under appeal. Hopefully, Baylor will reverse the judgment and give Beckwith the tenure he cleary deserves.
Open Future
A blog by Alan Rhoda, Ph.D., mainly about philosophy, religion, and the metaphysics of time, free will, and future contingency.
A blog by Alan Rhoda, Ph.D., mainly about philosophy, religion, and the metaphysics of time, free will, and future contingency.
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I am sorry to hear this as well!!! I’ve only read “Relativism: Feet firmly planted in mid-air,” but it is a great exposition of the concept and quite persuasive.
This is discouraging news. I wonder what the future will hold for the rest of us!
Any “negative press” that is not right-wing religious conservative?
From what I can tell, most of the attention in the Beckwith case has come from the conservative press, which is only to be expected because those are the circles in which Beckwith is best known and has the most influence. A couple exceptions: here and here.
But the Chronicle article is not negative, and the other one is written by a “former senior editor of the National Review”. Still no real “negative press” from the mainstream.
It doesn’t matter whether it comes from right wing or left wing press. What matters is if this is actually true. We shouldn’t dismiss something just because of who wrote it.