Digressionsimpressions
@nescio13.bsky.social
Philosopher who got a gig as political theorist at University of Amsterdam; also known as Ghent Zeppelin. I have a daily substack:
https://digressionsimpressions.substack.com/publish
https://digressionsimpressions.substack.com/publish
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I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
February 11, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
BTW I love Joe Heath's scholarly work, but as a historian of 20th-cent pol phil he is just making stuff up. In focusing on the basic institutions of society Rawls is echoing Halevy on Bentham and the 19th cent liberal art of government as....drumroll...Rawls cites in TJ.
#shouldgiftsubscription2D&I
#shouldgiftsubscription2D&I
February 11, 2026 at 10:17 PM
BTW I love Joe Heath's scholarly work, but as a historian of 20th-cent pol phil he is just making stuff up. In focusing on the basic institutions of society Rawls is echoing Halevy on Bentham and the 19th cent liberal art of government as....drumroll...Rawls cites in TJ.
#shouldgiftsubscription2D&I
#shouldgiftsubscription2D&I
Asking for a PHD student...what is some useful secondary literature on Hobbes to prepare teaching Leviathan. Self-nominations fine.
February 11, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Asking for a PHD student...what is some useful secondary literature on Hobbes to prepare teaching Leviathan. Self-nominations fine.
Reposted by Digressionsimpressions
David Hume is normally regarded as one of the most stylish writers of the those who wrote philosophy in English (though Hobbes is more quotable). Bagehot, apparently, was not so impressed. And Adam Smith gets a working over too. Great article.
On Bagehot's Criticism of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Bagehot's Criticism of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Professional philosophers — and perhaps other academics — have a ritual of politeness and inquisitiveness in asking each other, ‘what are you working on?’ The implicature of this question is sufficien...
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:16 AM
David Hume is normally regarded as one of the most stylish writers of the those who wrote philosophy in English (though Hobbes is more quotable). Bagehot, apparently, was not so impressed. And Adam Smith gets a working over too. Great article.
Reposted by Digressionsimpressions
Bagehot on the language of Smith and Hume is very funny. You should read it. (The rest of the post is interesting, too.)
On Bagehot's Criticism of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Bagehot's Criticism of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Professional philosophers — and perhaps other academics — have a ritual of politeness and inquisitiveness in asking each other, ‘what are you working on?’ The implicature of this question is sufficien...
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Bagehot on the language of Smith and Hume is very funny. You should read it. (The rest of the post is interesting, too.)
Husserl on Galileo and the Primary and Secondary Quality Distinction
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
Husserl on Galileo and the Primary and Secondary Quality Distinction
Last week’s nitpicky post (here) on Husserl’s treatment of Galileo generated a number of polarized (mostly private) emails: some felt I had been unfair to or misleading on Husserl, while others though...
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Husserl on Galileo and the Primary and Secondary Quality Distinction
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
I know husserl's treatment of galileo is not supposed to be historical-empirical in character, but even heidegger and nietzsche are more constrained by the (ahh) historical facts...
February 11, 2026 at 12:04 AM
I know husserl's treatment of galileo is not supposed to be historical-empirical in character, but even heidegger and nietzsche are more constrained by the (ahh) historical facts...
On Bagehot's Criticism of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Bagehot's Criticism of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Professional philosophers — and perhaps other academics — have a ritual of politeness and inquisitiveness in asking each other, ‘what are you working on?’ The implicature of this question is sufficien...
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:38 PM
On Bagehot's Criticism of Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
Reposted by Digressionsimpressions
Around the world, politicians and businessmen are resigning from their positions because of the Epstein Files.
Except in the United States.
Here: Zero shame, zero consequences.
We need resignations, investigations, impeachments, and punishments now. Should have been years ago.
Except in the United States.
Here: Zero shame, zero consequences.
We need resignations, investigations, impeachments, and punishments now. Should have been years ago.
February 8, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Around the world, politicians and businessmen are resigning from their positions because of the Epstein Files.
Except in the United States.
Here: Zero shame, zero consequences.
We need resignations, investigations, impeachments, and punishments now. Should have been years ago.
Except in the United States.
Here: Zero shame, zero consequences.
We need resignations, investigations, impeachments, and punishments now. Should have been years ago.
Reposted by Digressionsimpressions
On Husserl on Galileo
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Husserl on Galileo
One of the joys of a sabbatical is that you take classes on topics or books you wished you had done/read as an undergraduate.
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:46 PM
On Husserl on Galileo
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Husserl on Galileo
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Husserl on Galileo
One of the joys of a sabbatical is that you take classes on topics or books you wished you had done/read as an undergraduate.
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:46 PM
On Husserl on Galileo
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Hume's account of the origin of democratic despotism
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
On Hume's account of the origin of democratic despotism
It is well known, perhaps even to my readers, that Hume was quite interested in Montesquieu’s The Spirit of the Laws (1748) when it was on the (printer’s) anvil.
open.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:06 PM
On Hume's account of the origin of democratic despotism
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
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Another one for the “the Times really needs an ombudsman” file
Three reporters on this for months, tons of breathless push alerts and promises that Harvard was about to bend the knee…did things change, or did preserving access cloud their vision on this all along?
Three reporters on this for months, tons of breathless push alerts and promises that Harvard was about to bend the knee…did things change, or did preserving access cloud their vision on this all along?
The Trump administration is no longer trying to get cash from Harvard as it seeks a settlement. At this point, the White House seems happy to get a signature on anything they can call a compact.
Trump Drops Demand for Cash From Harvard After Stiff Resistance
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Another one for the “the Times really needs an ombudsman” file
Three reporters on this for months, tons of breathless push alerts and promises that Harvard was about to bend the knee…did things change, or did preserving access cloud their vision on this all along?
Three reporters on this for months, tons of breathless push alerts and promises that Harvard was about to bend the knee…did things change, or did preserving access cloud their vision on this all along?
Reposted by Digressionsimpressions
Adam Smith on Good Public Management
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
Adam Smith on Good Public Management
The prudent man is not willing to subject himself to any responsibility which his duty does not impose upon him.
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Adam Smith on Good Public Management
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
Adam Smith on Good Public Management
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
Adam Smith on Good Public Management
The prudent man is not willing to subject himself to any responsibility which his duty does not impose upon him.
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Adam Smith on Good Public Management
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
open.substack.com/pub/digressi...
Re the Epstein files. There are a lot of sources of anger and depression in them. But I thought it worth noting the following: I am actually surprised how many very rich people seem to encounter each other socially and financially. The 0.1% are a lot more cliquish than I imagined.
February 2, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Re the Epstein files. There are a lot of sources of anger and depression in them. But I thought it worth noting the following: I am actually surprised how many very rich people seem to encounter each other socially and financially. The 0.1% are a lot more cliquish than I imagined.
Adam Smith on Good Public Management open.substack.com/pub/digressi... (shout to @zackrauwald.bsky.social)
Adam Smith on Good Public Management
The prudent man is not willing to subject himself to any responsibility which his duty does not impose upon him.
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Adam Smith on Good Public Management open.substack.com/pub/digressi... (shout to @zackrauwald.bsky.social)
Reposted by Digressionsimpressions
In Nederland werden 143 kinderen gevangen gezet in vreemdelingenbewaring in 2024.
Boter op ons hoofd.
nos.nl/artikel/2600...
Boter op ons hoofd.
nos.nl/artikel/2600...
Opgepakte kleuter en vader Minneapolis moeten worden vrijgelaten
Een foto van de opgepakte kleuter leidde tot veel verontwaardiging. Vader en zoon moeten van de rechter uiterlijk dinsdag vrijgelaten worden uit het detentiecentrum in Texas,
nos.nl
February 2, 2026 at 6:07 AM
In Nederland werden 143 kinderen gevangen gezet in vreemdelingenbewaring in 2024.
Boter op ons hoofd.
nos.nl/artikel/2600...
Boter op ons hoofd.
nos.nl/artikel/2600...
Given how important aesthetics are to his political, commercial, and personal outlook, and his zest for imposing these on the rest of us, I bet that for Trump the closing of the Kennedy center is one of the least pleasant decisions he had to make.
February 2, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Given how important aesthetics are to his political, commercial, and personal outlook, and his zest for imposing these on the rest of us, I bet that for Trump the closing of the Kennedy center is one of the least pleasant decisions he had to make.
I am surprised to admit, but Husserl's Crisis has a kind of tragic grandeur.
February 1, 2026 at 11:55 PM
I am surprised to admit, but Husserl's Crisis has a kind of tragic grandeur.
Fair, but it is a guilty pleasure
Ferrero Rocher. The ambassador was not, in fact, spoiling us.
Guys, I really need to talk about something dumb and meaningless. What's a universally beloved sweet treat that you think is just mid? For me, it's meringue.
February 1, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Fair, but it is a guilty pleasure
I think this off. The academics involved come from the wealthiest institutions not the academics that most need funding. Maybe, just asjing, there is also a selection effect in prestige production?
2. Why are so many *academics* caught up with Epstein--given that academics don't usually travel in the same circles as billionaires, princes, and presidents?
Here, I think the appropriate answer involves the funding structure of the university.
Here, I think the appropriate answer involves the funding structure of the university.
February 1, 2026 at 7:03 PM
I think this off. The academics involved come from the wealthiest institutions not the academics that most need funding. Maybe, just asjing, there is also a selection effect in prestige production?
Reposted by Digressionsimpressions
Edmund Burke - the Musical!
I want a rap about the Hastings impeachment.
I want a rap about the Hastings impeachment.
February 1, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Edmund Burke - the Musical!
I want a rap about the Hastings impeachment.
I want a rap about the Hastings impeachment.
Apropos something i read in NYT, I really doubt Edmund Burke and Alexander Hamilton share a political philosophy
February 1, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Apropos something i read in NYT, I really doubt Edmund Burke and Alexander Hamilton share a political philosophy
My talk at WashU seems timely.
January 31, 2026 at 3:45 PM
My talk at WashU seems timely.