The Vincent Hendricks issue of Connery Magazine is now online. Although not the first philosopher to be interviewed by a men’s lifestyle magazine—Marshall McLuhan was interviewed by Playboy in 1969, for instance, as was Jean-Paul Sartre in 1965— Hendricks may be the first to do so for charity.
This issue of Connery Magazine is part of a broader effort by dozens of Danish politicians, sports figures, media personalities, artists, and intellectuals, to support the launch of a new Danish charity, youmeshopping.dk. In this February 2nd interview, made in association with youmeshopping.dk, Hendricks discusses why he supports this charitable foundation, describes his background, and his rise to professor of formal philosophy.
Jonah N. Schupbach
Horacio Arló-Costa
Jeff Helzner
Gregory Wheeler
Jon Williamson
Vincenzo Crupi
Jake Chandler
Arthur Paul Pedersen
Sonja Smets
Carlo Martini
Reinhard Muskens
Branden Fitelson
Gabriella Pigozzi
I’m not sure about the point you are trying to make (if any). Is this supposed to justify the sexist message conveyed by the pictures? Is it supposed to justify the decision to post them on an (unofficial) course website?
It is a pity that Michail Bulgakov is dead. He would have loved to write a novel on hypocrisy, enforced conformity and moral corruption in the community of professional philosophers. (Short version: John 8, 3-11.)
What I find most disturbing is the same people who teach their students the principle of charity are completely unable to apply it themselves.
I agree with this enthusiastically. We need to apply the principle of charity when judging the intent behind these photos. Mistakes were made and sincere apologies were offered. Let’s leave the poor fellow alone, and let us all learn from his mistakes, for we are all just as fallible as he.
Monica,
It should be noted that, if it wasn’t for VFH’s well-meaning friends like Greg, nobody would be revisiting this (rather depressing) episode, but I have to say this is one of those cases in which the context makes things worse rather than better–Connery Magazine seems to be what in Britain they call a lads’ mag and supporting what seems to be a cross between eBay and Craigslist hardly seems to be a charitable cause worth pursuing)
GRW: 75% of the profits from transactions on youmeshopping.dk go to a charity of one’s choice. So, a more accurate description might be to say that youmeshopping.dk is a cross between eBay and Donor’s Choose, but with corporate sponsorship offering new products at a discount and a broader list of NGOs than education.
It is indeed a pity that Bulgakov is no longer with us. I too am sure he would have loved to write a novel on hypocrisy, enforced conformity and moral corruption in the community of formal philosophers. Ooops, sorry! I thought you said ‘formal’! Anyway, I’ll apply the principle of charity and assume that that’s what you meant.
Seriously, I’m not sure who the charges of hypocrisy, enforced conformity and moral corruption are directed against and on what grounds (I assume it was just a bit of old-school trolling but, if not, I’d love to hear you elaborate on that) but I hope you do realize that unfortunately in our society in general and in our profession in particular there is hardly anything more conformist than sexism. On second thought, maybe you don’t.
Gabriele,
You are crazy as a loon but, in spite of myself, I kind of like you.
There is something to be said for sticking to your guns.
Greg