Grumpy Philosopher
@stevecooke.org
Grumpy. Associate Professor of Political Philosophy. Animal rights, ethics of activism, political philosophy.
Homepage: https://stevecooke.org/
Homepage: https://stevecooke.org/
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Grumpy Philosopher
@stevecooke.org
· Dec 5
Steve Cooke – Adventures in Philosophy
stevecooke.org
I've built myself a website, which includes a list of journals for animal rights philosophers to submit to (organised by publisher), a couple of syllabi, my essay writing guide for political philosophy students, & articles that philosophers say have changed their minds: stevecooke.org
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Remind me: was this the company that stole my work?
And the work of thousands of other writers?
And the work of thousands of other writers?
“She compares her work to the efforts of a parent raising a child. She’s training Claude to detect the difference between right and wrong while imbuing it with unique personality traits.”
This Philosopher Is Teaching AI to Have Morals
The tech company has entrusted the philosopher to endow its chatbot with a sense of right and wrong.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Remind me: was this the company that stole my work?
And the work of thousands of other writers?
And the work of thousands of other writers?
We’ve switched over to the Winter Olympics. I cannot watch the ski jumping anymore without wondering if the competitors have injected acid into their junk. The wife just shouted ‘Show us his dick!’ as a competitor pushed off. Ruined.
February 9, 2026 at 8:30 PM
We’ve switched over to the Winter Olympics. I cannot watch the ski jumping anymore without wondering if the competitors have injected acid into their junk. The wife just shouted ‘Show us his dick!’ as a competitor pushed off. Ruined.
I’ve just watched Jamie Oliver cook a noodle dish and now I need to stop myself going on a claw-hammer spree. Jamie Oliver seems like a lovely guy, but he should be banned by the UN from cooking Asian food, my blood pressure can’t take it.
February 9, 2026 at 8:27 PM
I’ve just watched Jamie Oliver cook a noodle dish and now I need to stop myself going on a claw-hammer spree. Jamie Oliver seems like a lovely guy, but he should be banned by the UN from cooking Asian food, my blood pressure can’t take it.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Man who doesn't turn up to do his job, tells a room full of retired people that working from home is bad.
BREAKING: Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home and the focus on work-life balance
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
February 9, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Man who doesn't turn up to do his job, tells a room full of retired people that working from home is bad.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Policy by Pub Bore. He's just that spittle-flecked Hate Guy in the corner of your done-up bar saying that modern beer is horrible and anyone under 50 is lazy and a loser. As beatable a politician as there'll ever be.
BREAKING: Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home and the focus on work-life balance
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
"People aren't more productive working from home - it's a load of nonsense”
Whatever you do JUST DON’T VOTE REFORM!
February 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Policy by Pub Bore. He's just that spittle-flecked Hate Guy in the corner of your done-up bar saying that modern beer is horrible and anyone under 50 is lazy and a loser. As beatable a politician as there'll ever be.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
It's hard to pick the one maddest element of British politics, but the tradition of committee room table-banging noise assessment before a leader is destroyed surely has to be in the running.
February 9, 2026 at 6:09 PM
It's hard to pick the one maddest element of British politics, but the tradition of committee room table-banging noise assessment before a leader is destroyed surely has to be in the running.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Every day, an unprecedented corruption scandal that would immediately end any chief executive's tenure in any actual democracy, let alone any presidency since Truman.
New: Binance holds 87% of the Trump family's stablecoin—$4.7 billion—a higher concentration than any other major stablecoin has at any single exchange.
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
Trump's Stablecoin USD1: Binance Holds 87% After Founder's Pardon
World Liberty Financial's founding document describes the company as "pioneering a new era of Decentralized Finance." Its flagship stablecoin is anything but.
www.forbes.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Every day, an unprecedented corruption scandal that would immediately end any chief executive's tenure in any actual democracy, let alone any presidency since Truman.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
If everyone apart from the person who appointed them all leaves then that will sort it.
EXCL: Chris Wormald, the most senior civil servant in Downing Street, is negotiating his exit as part of a wider shakeup of Keir Starmer’s operation after dramatic day - @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Top civil servant could become third key No 10 departure in days
Exclusive: Cabinet secretary Chris Wormald is expected to follow Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan out the door
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:44 PM
If everyone apart from the person who appointed them all leaves then that will sort it.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Someone on Polymarket has just placed a $100k bet that the US will strike Iran today. $4m payout if true.
More money than sense or insider information, you decide.
More money than sense or insider information, you decide.
February 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Someone on Polymarket has just placed a $100k bet that the US will strike Iran today. $4m payout if true.
More money than sense or insider information, you decide.
More money than sense or insider information, you decide.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
This image also once again reinforces my idea that we need philosopher trading cards.
February 9, 2026 at 6:20 PM
This image also once again reinforces my idea that we need philosopher trading cards.
A reminder that Jeremy Kyle isn’t so much interviewing Reform MPs as promoting them: he works for Reform & is likely to stand for them at the next election. This is a little misogynistic love-in between two repulsive men.
Jeremy Kyle is interviewing Reform MPs at a live press conference
Discussing who might take over from Keir Starmer as PM, Kyle just said: "She's had a makeover, Angela"
Lee Anderson: "She's throwing her money away, isn't she, to be honest with you"
*applause from the audience*
Discussing who might take over from Keir Starmer as PM, Kyle just said: "She's had a makeover, Angela"
Lee Anderson: "She's throwing her money away, isn't she, to be honest with you"
*applause from the audience*
February 9, 2026 at 6:10 PM
A reminder that Jeremy Kyle isn’t so much interviewing Reform MPs as promoting them: he works for Reform & is likely to stand for them at the next election. This is a little misogynistic love-in between two repulsive men.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Ah yes, 'if you don't like a woman, either (a) call her a slag; (b) call her ugly.'
Classic stuff from the 1970s manual for men.
This is what going back to The Good Owld Days™ actually looks like.
Classic stuff from the 1970s manual for men.
This is what going back to The Good Owld Days™ actually looks like.
Jeremy Kyle is interviewing Reform MPs at a live press conference
Discussing who might take over from Keir Starmer as PM, Kyle just said: "She's had a makeover, Angela"
Lee Anderson: "She's throwing her money away, isn't she, to be honest with you"
*applause from the audience*
Discussing who might take over from Keir Starmer as PM, Kyle just said: "She's had a makeover, Angela"
Lee Anderson: "She's throwing her money away, isn't she, to be honest with you"
*applause from the audience*
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Ah yes, 'if you don't like a woman, either (a) call her a slag; (b) call her ugly.'
Classic stuff from the 1970s manual for men.
This is what going back to The Good Owld Days™ actually looks like.
Classic stuff from the 1970s manual for men.
This is what going back to The Good Owld Days™ actually looks like.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
This is an interesting thread because that little wrong-sounding note, *so* many people brush over those, in all kinds of decision-making, and there’s no obvious correlation with intelligence. Doesn’t immediately compute, ignore. And then you’re bought in to whatever grift/horror it is.
What actually happened was that Jennifer was also invited, but when we talked about her participation, we were told "she could go shopping with the other wives." The deep-rooted sexism of the whole enterprise couldn't remain hidden. Jennifer was repulsed, I felt likewise, and we said no.
February 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
This is an interesting thread because that little wrong-sounding note, *so* many people brush over those, in all kinds of decision-making, and there’s no obvious correlation with intelligence. Doesn’t immediately compute, ignore. And then you’re bought in to whatever grift/horror it is.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
The University of Vienna is advertising a number of fully funded PhD positions in the Humanities (4 years), including in Philosophy. If you are interested or know any philosophy MA student who would be interested, please tell them to get in touch! careers.univie.ac.at/en/praedoc/p...
careers.univie.ac.at
February 9, 2026 at 2:12 PM
The University of Vienna is advertising a number of fully funded PhD positions in the Humanities (4 years), including in Philosophy. If you are interested or know any philosophy MA student who would be interested, please tell them to get in touch! careers.univie.ac.at/en/praedoc/p...
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
a reminder that Tim Allan, who quit Starmer's Downing St today, previously spun for....not only Kazakhstan and Qatar but also Vladimir Putin’s government
www.ft.com/content/a0a8...
www.ft.com/content/a0a8...
From Blair to Putin to Starmer: PR chief Tim Allan’s CV
Former New Labour spin-doctor has faced criticism over his choice of clients, including Russia’s government
www.ft.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:58 PM
a reminder that Tim Allan, who quit Starmer's Downing St today, previously spun for....not only Kazakhstan and Qatar but also Vladimir Putin’s government
www.ft.com/content/a0a8...
www.ft.com/content/a0a8...
Are these libertarians in the room with us now? Are they different from the libertarians who voted for him, donated to him, told everyone he was the peace president who was going to cut taxes & increase free trade, & who claimed Kamala & Biden were coming for their guns etc.? Pfft.
February 9, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Are these libertarians in the room with us now? Are they different from the libertarians who voted for him, donated to him, told everyone he was the peace president who was going to cut taxes & increase free trade, & who claimed Kamala & Biden were coming for their guns etc.? Pfft.
Quite surprised by this given that Ratio, to my knowledge, has published one paper on animal ethics ever (arguing that it's not wrong to eat meat, 2008) & its editor is hostile to animal rights. The one time I tried to submit there my paper was desk rejected as 'inappropriate'. Progress perhaps!
I am pleased to announce that I am organizing the annual Ratio conference of our department this year on the topic of animals and philosophy.
walterveit.substack.com/p/ratio-annu...
walterveit.substack.com/p/ratio-annu...
Ratio Annual Conference on Animals and Philosophy
I am pleased to announce that I am organizing the annual Ratio conference of our department this year on the topic of animals and philosophy.
walterveit.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Quite surprised by this given that Ratio, to my knowledge, has published one paper on animal ethics ever (arguing that it's not wrong to eat meat, 2008) & its editor is hostile to animal rights. The one time I tried to submit there my paper was desk rejected as 'inappropriate'. Progress perhaps!
Out of curiosity, I have plotted the time taken by an editor to desk reject all of my papers. Not included, the two I withdrew after 40 weeks and 72 weeks of silence respectively. I've rounded up all of my rejections from JPP/Bob Goodin to 1 week. Average wait has doubled to 6 weeks since 2018.
February 9, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Out of curiosity, I have plotted the time taken by an editor to desk reject all of my papers. Not included, the two I withdrew after 40 weeks and 72 weeks of silence respectively. I've rounded up all of my rejections from JPP/Bob Goodin to 1 week. Average wait has doubled to 6 weeks since 2018.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
I’m all for philosophers getting paid but let’s be serious.
“She compares her work to the efforts of a parent raising a child. She’s training Claude to detect the difference between right and wrong while imbuing it with unique personality traits.”
This Philosopher Is Teaching AI to Have Morals
The tech company has entrusted the philosopher to endow its chatbot with a sense of right and wrong.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:53 PM
I’m all for philosophers getting paid but let’s be serious.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
I’m glad for this policy, but don’t understand why Mahmoud is claiming, “the British people will always welcome those in genuine need of sanctuary.” That’s untrue, as the UK doesn’t provide humanitarian visas to most people in need. Why not just be honest? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
UK expands Hong Kong visa scheme in wake of Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence
Exclusive: Home Office ruling means thousands more Hongkongers will be eligible to come to the UK over next five years
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:06 PM
I’m glad for this policy, but don’t understand why Mahmoud is claiming, “the British people will always welcome those in genuine need of sanctuary.” That’s untrue, as the UK doesn’t provide humanitarian visas to most people in need. Why not just be honest? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Watching a - tbh not very good - documentary about whale scientists trying to decode humpback whale communication, and I remain convinced to that one of the undervalued glories of modern civilisation is that it allows people to earn a living (or at least a research grant) doing crazy shit like this.
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Watching a - tbh not very good - documentary about whale scientists trying to decode humpback whale communication, and I remain convinced to that one of the undervalued glories of modern civilisation is that it allows people to earn a living (or at least a research grant) doing crazy shit like this.
This is a nice read. Nagel describes Schaeffer's claim: 'the fact that valuing involves emotional investment and a distinctive practical orientation means that one cannot value everything.’ This seems true in a trivial sense, but I don't see how it's true that we can't value everyone.
February 9, 2026 at 12:04 PM
This is a nice read. Nagel describes Schaeffer's claim: 'the fact that valuing involves emotional investment and a distinctive practical orientation means that one cannot value everything.’ This seems true in a trivial sense, but I don't see how it's true that we can't value everyone.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Just learned that the testicles of sparrows increase in size by over 100 times every spring. I hope everyone has a nice day.
February 9, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Just learned that the testicles of sparrows increase in size by over 100 times every spring. I hope everyone has a nice day.
It's biopsy results day. No sign of anything cancerous or otherwise life threatening. Phew.
February 9, 2026 at 11:50 AM
It's biopsy results day. No sign of anything cancerous or otherwise life threatening. Phew.
The solution to not understanding a language widely spoken in your country, native to more than 43 million of your fellow citizens & one of your country's territories, is to learn some Spanish ffs. You can't complain it's not an official language because neither is English.
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
February 9, 2026 at 11:20 AM
The solution to not understanding a language widely spoken in your country, native to more than 43 million of your fellow citizens & one of your country's territories, is to learn some Spanish ffs. You can't complain it's not an official language because neither is English.