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  "path": "/2026/03/18/faculty-students-at-ghent-call-for-resignation-of-race-science-philosopher/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-18T09:30:51.000Z",
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  "tags": [
    "Academic Freedom",
    "academic freedom",
    "controversial issues",
    "race science",
    "racism",
    "Faculty & Students at Ghent Call for Resignation of “Race Science” Philosopher (update: reply from Cofnas)",
    "Daily Nous"
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  "textContent": "Faculty and Students at Ghent University are objecting to the university’s recent hiring of philosopher Nathan Cofnas. Readers may recall Cofnas as the person who wrote on his blog that “In a meritocracy… Black people would disappear from virtually all high-ranking positions, with the exception of sports and entertainment,” or from the controversy regarding the publication of his article about group differences in intelligence (which led to the resignation of one of the journal’s editors), or from his contribution to a debate over how, exactly, Jews have managed to have such power and influence in politics and culture. In 2024, Emmanuel College at Cambridge University cut its affiliation with Cofnas, who was a fellow at Cambridge at the time, a decision for which the self-described “race realist” is suing them. Cofnas was recently hired into a temporary position at Ghent to work on a project run by philosophy professor Bouke de Vries (reportedly no stranger to the race science crowd, either). According to Apache, an email from 48 department members—over 70% of the active department members—[was] sent to Rector Petra De Sutter on March 11. In the email, which is also addressed to the Board of Directors, they raise “the urgent question of how it is possible” that various statements by Cofnas are not in violation of Ghent University’s code of ethics. According to the Brussels Times, in an open letter, others calling for Ghent to rescind Cofnas’ hire are accusing him of promoting racist pseudoscience. “What Cofnas and his supporters call ‘racial realism’ is the idea that we must face the supposed reality that white people are simply superior to Black people,” the letter states. “But that is not reality. It is racism.” The signatories argue that Cofnas is not conducting legitimate academic research into race and intelligence but instead spreading pseudoscience. They urged the rector, vice-rector and the university’s board to respect the institution’s ethical code and “act accordingly”. According to VRT News, Ghent rector Petra De Sutter responded by saying, in part, I understand the outrage and concern. For many people, the statements referred to are hurtful and disturbing. They affect me too. As rector, I want to make it clear that we are not ignoring these signals. We will therefore..\n\nThe post Faculty & Students at Ghent Call for Resignation of “Race Science” Philosopher (update: reply from Cofnas) first appeared on Daily Nous.",
  "title": "Faculty & Students at Ghent Call for Resignation of “Race Science” Philosopher (update: reply from Cofnas)"
}