A discussion of the evolution of dehumanisation, monsters and race. | https://bit.ly/3XcIv2B Philosopher David Livingstone Smith presents us with a candid but unique outlook on this topic, exploring symbols of hate to having hope without optimism. #philsky

David Livingstone Smith maintains that people are initially attracted to fascist-style movements for more economic reasons, and the leader’s rhetoric aims at converting them from mere followers into true believers doi.org/10.1080/0951... #vol39issue1 #devotion #philsky #philpsy 11/11

How dehumanizing people transforms them into monsters. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ2n...

At bottom, pseudo-philosophers are bullshitters, in Harry Frankfurt’s sense of the term. Frankfurt distinguishes bullshitters from liars. Liars have got to keep an eye on the truth, because they’ve got to avoid it. But truth is irrelevant to bullshitters.

Subrena, my spouse, and I will be spending next academic year in Sweden. That means we will have to rent our (lovely) home out for a year. I'm writing on the off chance that anyone knows of anyone that needs a place to rent in southern NH.

Eighty-four years ago yesterday, The Wolfman was released in the United States. Just days earlier, Germany declared war on Germany, and consequently the Wansee conference, where senior Nazis worked out some of the logistics of the Holocaust, was cancelled and deferred to January, 1942.

Seeing as Rutger Bregman is having a moment with his Reith Lectures, I think it's a good time to share @davidlsmith.bsky.social 's excellent review of Bregman's book, Humankind. Take note and don't be duped by Bregman's feelgood. www.thephilosopher1923.org/post/are-we-...

I often hear it said that Trump does not does not have an ideology. The truth-value of that statement depends on what one means by "ideology"--a notoriously ambiguous term.

HELP! Does anyone know how to ship items with lithium-ion batteries from the US to Jamaica? It's estimated that electricity won't be restored to our family members till spring. We purchased two solar-powered generators to send, but have met obstruction because they are considered hazardous.

Just published! "Real Dehumanization" by @davidlsmith.bsky.social . Open access: doi.org/10.1017/apa....

When I trained psychotherapists, I tried to inculcate two basic principles: 1) create a secure frame, with neutrality, total privacy and total confidentiality, 2) shut the fuck up and let the patient speak. Everything else is icing on the cake.

My Lebowitz Prize paper "Real dehumanization" is now out in the Journal of the American Philosophical Association (open access). www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

The Most Dangerous Animal. A powerful short film by the late Al Sutton. www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi...

Some of you may know #philsci #philbio Subrena Smith, Prof of #philosophy at UNH. Her family in Jamaica lives in one of parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa: Westmoreland. She & David are raising funds to support them w/ generators, supplies, truck water in to them, etc. Please donate if can!

Thanks to your generosity, my GoFundMe has raised $2672 to help my family in Jamaica in just a little over a day. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This will go towards their most urgent needs, but it's a fraction of what's needed. T gofund.me/2a40e23c6

Thanks to your generosity, my GoFundMe has raised $2672 to help my family in Jamaica in just a little over a day. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This will go towards their most urgent needs, but it's a fraction of what's needed. T gofund.me/2a40e23c6

My family is in Westmoreland, Jamaica. They are completely cut off from the rest of the island and the outside world. We don't know if they are dead or alive, but if the latter they are almost certainly homeless. If anyone has any info, PLEASE let me know. We are waiting, waiting, waiting....

Real Dehumanization open.substack.com/pub/davidliv...

Boston friends, don't miss this remarkable film! Friday, November 11. ticketing.bostonjfilm.org/websales/pag...

For Halloween: how dehumanization creates monsters. davidlivingstonesmith.substack.com/p/i-am-the-w...

My interview on the Holocaust and History podcast. This is a wonderful podcast. Each episode is an interview with a scholar who works on the Holocaust or topics adjacent to it. thhp.buzzsprout.com/2291653/epis...

Reposting this in light of current events. davidlivingstonesmith.substack.com/p/the-assasi...

Conversation with George Makari on "Humanity on the Line: Resisting Dehumanization, Erasure, and Atrocity Amidst Divides" at the MLK Jr branch of the Cleveland Public Library, an event for the 90th anniversary of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards.

In 1938, a Jewish teenager assassinated Ernst vom Rath, a German diplomat in Paris. This triggered a series of events leading to Kristallnacht and the incarceration of 26k Jewish men in concentration camps. Today we are at a similar tipping point. davidlivingstonesmith.substack.com/p/the-assasi...

I have a very ominous feeling. We may be at a turning point. davidlivingstonesmith.substack.com/p/the-assasi...

1/2 GREAT NEWS! My student/mentee James is being released from prison TOMORROW after more than 40 years behind bars. Thanks to your generosity, he will have nearly $1700 to help start him off on the right foot.

I am reaching out to you again to invite you to contribute to my fundraiser for James Draper. James has been incarcerated in California for more than forty years, and is now due to be released. He has been my long-distance student for the past fifteen years.

This will be awesome! www.anisfield-wolf.org/events/90th-...

Many of my students do not read assignments. Some try to read but do not have the cognitive skills . So, it occurred to me that I should teach intro to philosophy with no required reading, only recommended reading. This might even motivate some students to read stuff.

Good discussion on dehumanization. www.youtube.com/watch?v=33hI...

Reposting this, apropos of Trump's proposed "cleansing" of Washington DC, with other American cities further down the hit list. davidlivingstonesmith.substack.com/p/the-metaph...

Awesome short piece on dehumanization. It is very gratifying that philosophers are finally taking a serious interest in this phenomenon. 1000wordphilosophy.com/2025/08/10/d...

Friends, please consider contributing to my fundraiser for my amazing student James Draper, who will soon be released from prison after more than 40 years. Every dollar will ease this man's transition. No amount is to small. www.gofundme.com/f/jyc3b/cl/o...