[B-Greek] "Scholars and Others" (was "Campbell and Aktionsart")
Carl Conrad
cwconrad2 at mac.com
Mon Apr 6 05:42:43 EDT 2009
I was grieved to see the current discussion on appropriate
nomenclature or usage of linguistic terminology in studies of ancient
Greek verbal aspect transformed into what amounts to a dispute over
which perspective on the key questions here carries the weight of real
authority. I call your attention to what has been a central piece of
our protocol (FAQ) since it was first promulgated in July of 1997:
"Those who participate in the conference represent a wide range of
theological and denominational perspectives, perhaps even including
some whose interests are purely academic. Deep religious convictions
surely characterize many, perhaps most, of the list-participants, and
some of these convictions bear directly upon how the Biblical text is
to be understood. At the core of our discussion, however, is not what
our convictions are but what the Greek text may legitimately be
understood to mean. If discussion of this nature is to succeed, proper
respect and courtesy to other list members is important. While
scholarly debate, including disagreement, is encouraged as a goal of
this conference, attacks upon the character, intelligence, or faith of
those participating are not acceptable. Criticism must focus upon the
arguments of others; it may not be directed to the individual."
In my personal opinion and, more importantly, in my judgment as Co-
Chair of the B-Greek discussion list, a public declaration in a
message sent to the list that one will take seriously the arguments
set forth by those who meet one's personal set of criteria for
"scholarship," is in violation of the spirit of the list as well as of
the clearly-expressed statement of our FAQ as cited above. List-
members will decide for themselves which arguments set forth in favor
of or against a given proposition seem to them to be more persuasive
and what evidence adduced in support of one's argument may be
acceptable. It seems to me that a public listing of those who belong
and those who do not belongs in a category of "scholars" -- even if
that list is said to be incomplete -- amounts to personal attack by
implication or innuendo. I would ask list-members please not to
continue any longer this divisive and inappropriate discussion of
qualifications. There is, of course, no reason (thus far) to close the
discussion of what is meant by "Aktionsart," but I do hope that any
continuing discussion may be conducted in a thoroughly civil manner.
Carl W. Conrad
Co-Chair, B-Greek List
Department of Classics, Washington University (Retired)
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu or cwconrad2 at mac.com
WWW: http://www.ioa.com/~cwconrad/
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