"The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that the ‘state of emergency' in which we live is not the exception but the rule...There is no document of civilization which is not at the same time a document of barbarism. And just as such a document is not free of barbarism, barbarism taints also the manner in which it was transmitted from one owner to another. A historical materialist therefore dissociates himself from it as far as possible. He regards it as his task to brush history against the grain."
Walter Benjamin, "Theses on the Philosophy of History."

Letter from the President and Honorary President of Science for Peace

Science for Peace: towards a just and sustainable world

The Honorable H. N. R. Jackman October 11, 1997
Chancellor, University of Toronto

Dear Mr. Chancellor:

Meeting in Toronto on the fourth of October, 1997, the Board of Directors of Science for Peace directed its Executive Committee to express to you, with copies to President Prichard and members of the Governing Council, the Board's dismay that George Bush may be awarded an honorary degree by the University of Toronto.

We urge the University to reconsider. It is not too late for Mr. Bush's secretary to remember a conflicting engagement.

There is, in our view, no contribution to learning, to the arts or sciences, to peace, or to other improvement of the human condition that can honestly be attributed to President Bush. On the contrary, the record of his presidency is one of disrespect for learning and disregard to peace.

Mr. Chancellor, the University of Toronto has a well-earned reputation for excellence which bestows upon it a leadership role in the community of Canadian universities. A salient drop in this university's standards for achievement meriting an honorary degree or a transparent shift of focus from merit to mere prominence, would quickly compromise standards elsewhere, thus undermining the worth and dignity of these degrees across the land. The loss would be felt with particular keenness by future honorees, but ironically by that great company of those who have been justly so honored in the past, or by their heirs and survivors.

We ask you, Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of learning and peace, but also for the sake of the integrity of the University of Toronto and of its sister institutions across Canada, to reverse this mistaken decision.

Sincerely,

L. Terrell Gardner
Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
President, Science for Peace

Anatol Rapoport
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Honorary President, Science for Peace