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I am sceptical that the university of Edinburgh has much evidence of a building being named after the famous 18th century Enlightenment philosopher David Hume causing 'distress' to contemporary students. This sounds like an imagined projection of hypothetical distress.
If the University administrators believed in the reason that they give, it would be logical to regard statues of Hume as no longer acceptable
Most people would think that a big over-reaction, given the scale of his contribution + the common sense 'what is he best known for' test
Most people would think that a big over-reaction, given the scale of his contribution + the common sense 'what is he best known for' test
Institutions would stop stumbling into stoking cultural polarisation if ensured a process of public discussion (eg in university + engaging broader Edinburgh public) in which all voices can be heard prior to high-profile decisions about major figures https://capx.co/how-talking-more-about-our-history-can-defuse-a-culture-war/
By all means have a debate about any/ every case. there is a broad public consensus around this type of distinction.
Two problems with extending challenge to Hume
* This sets a bar that would indict almost everyone from any past century. This is arrogant + it is not necessary for inclusion today
* It loses sight of what is egregious about cases like Colston,so overreach undermines the point.
* This sets a bar that would indict almost everyone from any past century. This is arrogant + it is not necessary for inclusion today
* It loses sight of what is egregious about cases like Colston,so overreach undermines the point.
Unis can choose to change names of buildings (because want to do something different).
University of Edinburgh also a key voice in Edinburgh, Scotland + UK, eg in history of Scottish Enlightenment +, philosophy, so ought to want to lead constructive public discussions of Hume.
University of Edinburgh also a key voice in Edinburgh, Scotland + UK, eg in history of Scottish Enlightenment +, philosophy, so ought to want to lead constructive public discussions of Hume.
1700 people signed a Change. org petition. The student union supports this change, but did not consult students
(I don't think she can be correct to say 1600 students signed this petition. It is a public online petition, open to anyone anywhere) https://twitter.com/EdUniPresident/status/1280129055304622080?s=19
(I don't think she can be correct to say 1600 students signed this petition. It is a public online petition, open to anyone anywhere) https://twitter.com/EdUniPresident/status/1280129055304622080?s=19
Grateful to the Scottish Justice Secretary sharing this thread + piece so that it may reach more people in Scotland. (Its gross to see everyday level of racist abuse he receives on Twitter within 5 minutes of saying anything, at all, however reasonable!) https://twitter.com/HumzaYousaf/status/1305075125772001280?s=19
I would have thought that Scotland today, does have a public culture in which many would want to attempt an open, nuanced debate about Scottish history, race & inclusion today - in culture + education, politics + media - rather than embark on a polarised symbolic 'culture war'
Hume's racial prejudices are captured in this footnote to his 1748 essay 'Of National Characters'.
I didn't encounter this aspect of Hume at all when studying him for a History of Philosophy PPE finals paper at Oxford in the mid-1990s. The question of race and the Enlightenment has had significantly more academic attention in the 25 years since.
Hume on race (Oxford handbooks) https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190236953.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190236953-e-43
A blog on Hume from JS Hearn of the University of Edinburgh https://uneasyessays.com/2020/09/13/remembering-hume/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Dr Felix Waldmann, a serious Hume scholar, puts the case against Hume on race and slavery here, noting the contemporary criticisms of Hume on this https://twitter.com/danielwaweru/status/1305141213352394752?s=19
This is James Beattie's 1809 critiique of Hume on race https://twitter.com/danielwaweru/status/1003092466659155973?s=19
Thanks to @danielwaweru for these links https://twitter.com/danielwaweru/status/1305125412838703106?s=19
Also criticism of the decision and process within the university https://twitter.com/welikalaa/status/1305059196984008706?s=19
BBC online report. This quotes those in favour of the decision. Does not (yet) reflect any controversy or counter-arguments https://twitter.com/BBCScotlandNews/status/1305149175240298503?s=19
Scotsman report https://twitter.com/MartynMcL/status/1305131381878595586?s=19
The University is embarking on a substantial review of its links to the past. This would be an opportunity for dialogue of the kind this thread recommends. Making this high-profile change first sparks a major debate it seems unprepared for
Have just been challenged to recognise that Gandhi had somewhat similar views of black Africans. I am not sure that challenge was sincere, but the point has some validity.
https://twitter.com/sundersays/status/1305164960234975232?s=19
https://twitter.com/sundersays/status/1305164960234975232?s=19
