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Brian Leiter

@brianleiter.bsky.social
2.1K followers 67 following 795 posts

I teach and write about general jurisprudence, legal and political realism, metaethics, free speech, religious toleration, academic freedom, Nietzsche, Marx and other topics at the University of Chicago. Homepage: brianleiter.net

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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I'm sorry to report that I'm returning to Twitter. Some of the recent interactions here have been as stupid as those on Twitter, so some of this is just endemic to the medium. On Twitter, I've mostly blocked the worst offenders, and don't want to start over here.1/2
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/07/o...
leiterreports.com
One *real* radio book show flags the scamers impersonating them
Useful about how these scams work. As this radio station notes, you can report these emails to the Federal Trade Commission: reportfraud.ftc.gov. I assume you should just forward the scammer’…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/07/i...
leiterreports.com
In Memoriam: Robert Alexy (1945-2026)
Professor Alexy, who was emeritus at the University of Kiel in Germany (where he spent most of his academic career), was better-known and quite influential throughout the civil law world (and espec…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/05/g...
leiterreports.com
Great moments in (what won’t be) obscure rock ‘n’ roll (for long): Amani Burnham, “Bluejay,” and other songs, 2026
This young guy seems destined for success in the contemporary blues rock world. Unlike Hendrix, he often plays without a pick, but in other respects, the Hendrix influence is apparent:
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Decoding Fox News @decodingfoxnews.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Trump has no idea how trade works. He has made comments like this for years. He thinks the U.S. government loses money when American companies import more goods than they export. In some cases the American companies are importing parts ore raw materials.
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/04/a...
leiterreports.com
“AI Philosophy Competition”
I’m pretty ambivalent about this, so have been sitting on it for a few days. The details are here, and readers might as well decide for themselves whether it’s worth their time. The com…
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/03/p...
leiterreports.com
PGR update, and some advice for prospective students about how to look at PhD programs in terms of “peer clusters”
The PGR editors, Professors Kar and Pynes, tell me the plan is to do a new set of PGR surveys in fall 2027 (the last report was for 2024-25). I’ve been tracking faculty moves since then (see …
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/03/p...
leiterreports.com
“Public Scholars” project at Wake Forest University…
…which aims to train natural scientists, social scientists, and philosophers to communicate with the public (with support from the Templeton Foundation and led by philosopher Christian Miller…
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/03/s...
leiterreports.com
Scam watch: Thomas Pynchon edition
Hayley Cotter, an English professor at U Mass/Amherst, shares the latest gem: Von: Thomas Pynchon <thomaspynchon.author8@gmail.com>Date: Do., 3. Sept. 2026 um 03:17 UhrSubject: Appreciation f…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/03/s...
leiterreports.com
Scam watch: Thomas Pynchon edition
Hayley Cotter, an English professor at U Mass/Amherst, shares the latest gem: Von: Thomas Pynchon <thomaspynchon.author8@gmail.com>Date: Do., 3. Sept. 2026 um 03:17 UhrSubject: Appreciation f…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/03/p...
leiterreports.com
“Public Scholars” project at Wake Forest University…
…which aims to train natural scientists, social scientists, and philosophers to communicate with the public (with support from the Templeton Foundation and led by philosopher Christian Miller…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/03/p...
leiterreports.com
PGR update, and some advice for prospective students about how to look at PhD programs in terms of “peer clusters”
The PGR editors, Professors Kar and Pynes, tell me the plan is to do a new set of PGR surveys in fall 2027 (the last report was for 2024-25). I’ve been tracking faculty moves since then (see …
021
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/01/w...
leiterreports.com
“What do you do when you do jurisprudence? Challenges and New Paths”
MOVING TO FRONT–THIS EVENT IS COMING UP NEXT WEEK This upcoming roundtable at the UK chapter of the IVR (the international association for legal philosophy), organized by Daniel Murata (Surre…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/02/s...
leiterreports.com
Scam watch continues: fake offers to translate
Philosopher Eric Winsberg shares this gem. He contacted the real Professor Bernofsky at her university email address who confirmed this is a fraud (note, once again, the gmail address): From: Susan…
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/02/h...
leiterreports.com
How the Trumpistas silence internal critics
Not quite the “night of the long knives,” but a similar spirit!
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/02/f...
leiterreports.com
From the working class to academic philosophy
A quite interesting essay by philosopher Duncan Pritchard (UC Irvine); some excerpts: I grew up in what was once the industrial heartlands of England, in the Midlands city of Wolverhampton. The ind…
121
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/02/p...
leiterreports.com
Princeton’s Daniel Garber elected to the American Philosophical Society
A bit belated (this was announced last May).
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/02/h...
leiterreports.com
How the Trumpistas silence internal critics
Not quite the “night of the long knives,” but a similar spirit!
001
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/02/f...
leiterreports.com
From the working class to academic philosophy
A quite interesting essay by philosopher Duncan Pritchard (UC Irvine); some excerpts: I grew up in what was once the industrial heartlands of England, in the Midlands city of Wolverhampton. The ind…
121
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/02/p...
leiterreports.com
Princeton’s Daniel Garber elected to the American Philosophical Society
A bit belated (this was announced last May).
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/01/a...
leiterreports.com
A new policy on advertising MA and PhD programs
MOVING TO FRONT FROM JANUARY 29, 2026 (as a reminder) Going forward, I am only going to take ads from programs that I think are worth considering (the PGR will be a pretty good benchmark for that, …
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Eric Segall @espinsegall.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
So, the 1801 Congress cancelled the Supreme Court for a year. Really. If the Dems again control the two real branches of government, they should threaten closing the Court, because originalism, and then let’s talk “reform.”
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/01/w...
leiterreports.com
“What do you do when you do jurisprudence? Challenges and New Paths”
MOVING TO FRONT–THIS EVENT IS COMING UP NEXT WEEK This upcoming roundtable at the UK chapter of the IVR (the international association for legal philosophy), organized by Daniel Murata (Surre…
022
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/31/t...
leiterreports.com
The latest transparent scam (from a gmail address, of course, using a real journalist’s name)
In today’s inbox (at least this scammer puts the $$$ request up front): From: Stig Abell <stigabell.timesradio@gmail.com>Date: August 31, 2026 at 10:08:54 AM CDTTo: Brian Leiter <ble…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/01/a...
leiterreports.com
A new policy on advertising MA and PhD programs
MOVING TO FRONT FROM JANUARY 29, 2026 (as a reminder) Going forward, I am only going to take ads from programs that I think are worth considering (the PGR will be a pretty good benchmark for that, …
001
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/30/p...
leiterreports.com
Philosopher’s Annual: from the literature of 2025
Via Patrick Grim (who remains as “executive editor ” of PA, but has turned over editor duties for this volume to Daniel Singer): The Philosopher’s Annual volume 45 from the literature o…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/01/p...
leiterreports.com
Profiles in real courage: Florimond “Duke” DuSossoit
He parachuted into Nazi-occupied Hungary, in order to be captured and then fool the Nazis into thinking the allied invasion was coming in the Balkans. It worked. (Thanks to Jason Bell for the point…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/09/01/m...
leiterreports.com
More scams targetting philosophers
Ned Block shares this one: From: Ryan NYC Philosophy <ryanphilosophynyc@gmail.com> Subject: Invitation to Feature Your Book The Border Between Seeing and Thinking in Our NYC Philosophy & …
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/31/h...
leiterreports.com
How is post-tenure review working at your (public) university?
Post-tenure review started proliferating more than a quarter-century ago, but has picked up speed in recent years. It might be useful to hear about people’s experiences. You can post anonymou…
001
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/31/t...
leiterreports.com
Trump Administration targets ABA’s role as an “accreditor” of law schools
CHE reports: A report from the Education Department is recommending that the accrediting arm of the American Bar Association lose its federal recognition. If approved, the accrediting agency, calle…
001
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/31/t...
leiterreports.com
The latest transparent scam (from a gmail address, of course, using a real journalist’s name)
In today’s inbox (at least this scammer puts the $$$ request up front): From: Stig Abell <stigabell.timesradio@gmail.com>Date: August 31, 2026 at 10:08:54 AM CDTTo: Brian Leiter <ble…
001
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/31/h...
leiterreports.com
How is post-tenure review working at your (public) university?
Post-tenure review started proliferating more than a quarter-century ago, but has picked up speed in recent years. It might be useful to hear about people’s experiences. You can post anonymou…
001
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/31/t...
leiterreports.com
Trump Administration targets ABA’s role as an “accreditor” of law schools
CHE reports: A report from the Education Department is recommending that the accrediting arm of the American Bar Association lose its federal recognition. If approved, the accrediting agency, calle…
001
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/u...
leiterreports.com
UChicago Booth School of Business professor seems, shall we say, surprisingly productive
Oh boy.
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/30/p...
leiterreports.com
Philosopher’s Annual: from the literature of 2025
Via Patrick Grim (who remains as “executive editor ” of PA, but has turned over editor duties for this volume to Daniel Singer): The Philosopher’s Annual volume 45 from the literature o…
022
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/27/h...
leiterreports.com
Here’s how the Republican steal the midterm elections in the House
Law professor Michael Dorf discusses.
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/u...
leiterreports.com
UChicago Booth School of Business professor seems, shall we say, surprisingly productive
Oh boy.
011
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/w...
leiterreports.com
Why I did not sign the most recent open letter in support of Nathan Cofnas’s “academic freedom” [sic]
CHE reports on the letter here; I’ve sent CHE the following letter to the editor: I signed two earlier letters defending the academic freedom rights of Nathan Cofnas, since the principles of …
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/u...
leiterreports.com
Universities get a (partial) reprieve on the 100k H-1B visas, but international students will still face potential obsctacles
IHE reports: After a federal court struck down the Trump administration’s effort to levy a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, the Department of Homeland Security is trying a different appr…
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Evan Thompson @evanthompson.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
I'm enjoying reading and highly recommend @karenkyng.bsky.social's book Hegel's Concept of Life: Self-Consciousness, Freedom, Logic, especially for enactivistas looking for life after Kant academic.oup.com/book/37427
academic.oup.com
Hegel's Concept of Life: Self-Consciousness, Freedom, Logic
Abstract. This book defends a new interpretation of Hegel’s idealism as oriented by a philosophical and logical concept of life, focusing on Hegel’s Scienc
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/u...
leiterreports.com
Universities get a (partial) reprieve on the 100k H-1B visas, but international students will still face potential obsctacles
IHE reports: After a federal court struck down the Trump administration’s effort to levy a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, the Department of Homeland Security is trying a different appr…
001
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/a...
leiterreports.com
Anonymous person falsely accuses junior scholar of using generative AI in writing an article in the online, open access journal “Political Philosophy”
The journal responds, appropriately, here. Folks should be a lot more cautious before throwing these accusations around!
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/27/s...
leiterreports.com
Searle on P.F. Strawson
Galen Strawson kindly shared this address John Searle gave at a memorial for Peter Strawson, which includes, among other things, a charming description of tutorials with Strawson: Searle memorial t…
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/w...
leiterreports.com
Why I did not sign the most recent open letter in support of Nathan Cofnas’s “academic freedom” [sic]
CHE reports on the letter here; I’ve sent CHE the following letter to the editor: I signed two earlier letters defending the academic freedom rights of Nathan Cofnas, since the principles of …
183
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/28/a...
leiterreports.com
Anonymous person falsely accuses junior scholar of using generative AI in writing an article in the online, open access journal “Political Philosophy”
The journal responds, appropriately, here. Folks should be a lot more cautious before throwing these accusations around!
001
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/27/s...
leiterreports.com
Searle on P.F. Strawson
Galen Strawson kindly shared this address John Searle gave at a memorial for Peter Strawson, which includes, among other things, a charming description of tutorials with Strawson: Searle memorial t…
012
Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/26/l...
leiterreports.com
Life in authoritarian America, a case in point
To be clear, American has done this kind of authoritarian shit before, but far less of it since the 1970s.
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Reposted by Brian Leiter
Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/26/b...
leiterreports.com
Blast from the past: “How Trump Can Attack Higher Education: A Guide”
Back in 2024, and, sadly, it was prescient. While Title VI has, indeed, played a very large role, I did not anticipate the sheer lawless way the Trumpistas would deploy it (i.e., no investigation, …
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/27/h...
leiterreports.com
Here’s how the Republican steal the midterm elections in the House
Law professor Michael Dorf discusses.
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Brian Leiter @brianleiter.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
leiterreports.com/2026/08/27/i...
leiterreports.com
Israel is now bad for the Jews
A more nuanced assessment (than my title) from UCLA professor Dov Waxman: 1. We must unequivocally condemn antisemitic acts against Jews and not make excuses for those who commit them. 2. We also n…
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