New Tradition-Minded Academic Geographers Subgroup

Jim Norwine

Academic geography became more “humanistic” over the past generation or two, a shift that may be seen as part of the larger culture-shift away from the assumptions, values and conceits of modernity to the assumptions, values and conceits of postmodernity. While this was an understandable and even healthy reaction to the excessive positivism of the previous era, the result has not been a balanced middle ground, but a radical and near universal shift to politicized leftist "scholarship." Advocacy replaced inquiry, and not, as one might have hoped, advocacy of the whole range of human values, including individual liberty or the benefits of tradition. Rather, for many human geographers the discipline’s reason-to-be has become dogmatic advocacy of a compulsory program of "social justice" and "environment integrity." Jim Norwine, Regents Professor of Geography at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, proposes the formation of a working group of “tradition-minded” academic geographers, the first goal of which would be to discuss possible alternative approaches to the praxis of 21st century geography. Such alternatives might range from Christian scholarship to the old “noble” (Roger Scruton) or positive form of humanism. Interested NAS members are urged to contact Jim at [email protected].

 

  • Share

Most Commented

July 30, 2024

1.

Don’t Cry for Them, Academia

The dark secret of anti-Semitism is that ignorance alone cannot explain it away or absolve those who adhere to it. If anything, the most vivid episodes of history’s anti-Semitism have......

September 6, 2024

2.

Professor Alleges "Widespread" Discriminatory Hiring Coverup at University of Washington

Audio acquired by the National Association of Scholars describes allegations of coverup race-based hiring coverup at the University of Washington...

June 20, 2024

3.

Remembering Warren Winiarski

Peter Wood writes on the passing of Warren Winiarski, a long-time supporter and friend of the National Association of Scholars, who sought to cultivate civilization and the liberal arts......

Most Read

May 15, 2015

1.

Where Did We Get the Idea That Only White People Can Be Racist?

A look at the double standard that has arisen regarding racism, illustrated recently by the reaction to a black professor's biased comments on Twitter....

September 18, 2024

2.

DEI vs. Academic Integrity at University of Washington

FOIA requests found evidence of racial discrimination at the University of Washington. A professor now accuses the University of a cover-up. A leading scholar of "whiteness" is accus......

September 17, 2024

3.

Agents of Chaos at Columbia University

By the first day of class, Columbia University has managed to combine the blights of Chinese Communist influence, anti-Semitism, incompetent leadership, and intellectual disintegration....