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James Fetzer

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James H. Fetzer

James Henry Fetzer (born December 6, 1940 in Pasadena, California) is an American philosopher and Distinguished McKnight University Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota Duluth.[1] He is also known for advocating conspiracy theories.[2]

Biography

James H. Fetzer was born in Pasadena, California in 1940 and attended South Pasadena High School where he received The Carver Award for leadership. After completing high school, he went on to study philosophy at Princeton University and graduated magna cum laude in 1962. After four years as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps, he resigned his commission as a Captain to begin graduate work at Indiana University. In 1970 he completed his Ph.D. in the history and philosophy of science.

Fetzer taught at various schools including the University of Kentucky, the University of Virginia (twice) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before he received tenure at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he taught from 1987 until his retirement in June 2006.[3]

Works

Fetzer has published more than 100 articles and 20 books [4] on philosophy of science, computer science, artificial intelligence and cognitive science. He also founded the international journal, Minds and Machines, which he edited for eleven years, and the professional library, Studies in Cognitive Systems, which includes thirty volumes.

Controversial views

Fetzer holds several unorthodox views of recent American history. He has written extensively about the John F. Kennedy assassination[5] and has been interviewed on his theories by radio hosts such as Laura Ingraham, Jerry Springer, Donny Deutch and several hosts on Air America, among others.

Some have questioned his apparent endorsement of a military coup to overthrow the Bush administration, which he believes have "betrayed the country and violated their oaths of office".[3]

Assassination of John F. Kennedy

Fetzer believes that John F. Kennedy was assassinated as the result of a "meticulously planned and precisely executed conspiracy", which included altering the autopsy X-rays, substituting another brain, and recreating the Zapruder film using sophisticated techniques of optical printing and special effects. He has edited three collections of studies on the assassination, chaired or co-chaired four conferences on the subject, and made numerous talk show appearances on the topic. [6]

September 11, 2001 attacks

Fetzer supports the assertion that the U.S. government orchestrated the September 11, 2001 attacks for political and economical gain and that World Trade Center One and Two were destroyed using a novel form of controlled demolition from the top down, while World Trade Center Seven was brought down by a conventional controlled demolition from the bottom. [7]

On June 22 2006, Fetzer was a guest on Fox News Channel's Hannity and Colmes where he discussed his stance on several 9/11 conspiracy theories.[8] Later that month, he appeared at the 9/11 + The Neo-Con Agenda Symposium in Los Angeles, California.[9]

In July 2006, Fetzer discussed Bill O'Reilly's remark that, if Kevin Barrett had been at his alma mater, Boston University, he would have been found "floating face down in the river", stating, "When public threats can be made to a citizen's life for expressing his opinions on a controversial topic and neither the government nor the media respond, that is a sure sign we are living in a fascist state."[10] Further that month, Fetzer detailed his research and theories during the Midwest Social Forum held on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in a joint presentation with Kevin Barrett, also a member of Scholars for 9/11 Truth.[11]

Fetzer is co-founder and co-chair of Scholars for 9/11 Truth, "a non-partisan association of faculty, students, and scholars dedicated to exposing falsehoods and to revealing truths behind 9/11".[12]

Death of Paul Wellstone

Fetzer has co-authored a book, in which argues that Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone's death in a airplane crash was not accidental but was the result of a conspiracy to ensure Republican control of the Senate.[13]

Publications (partial)

Philosophy of Science:

Conspiracy Research:

References

  1. ^ James H. Fetzer, UMD page
  2. ^ Pope, Justin (2006-08-06). "9/11 Conspiracy Theorists Thriving". ABC News > U.S. ABCNews Internet Ventures. Retrieved 2006-08-21.
  3. ^ a b John Gravois, "Professors of Paranoia?: Academics give a scholarly stamp to 9/11 conspiracy theories", The Chronicle of Higher Education, June 23, 2006.
  4. ^ James H. Fetzer, UMD page
  5. ^ Gatehouse, Jonathon (2006, May 16). "Hijacking the truth on 9/11". Macleans. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ James H. Fetzer, UMD page
  7. ^ London Daily Mail: Fury as academics claim 9/11 was 'inside job'
  8. ^ James Fetzer on Hannity & Colmes, via YouTube
  9. ^ American Scholars Symposium
  10. ^ Jim Kouri, "Activist Kevin Barrett Claims Bill O'Reilly Threatened Him", National Ledger, July 23, 2006.
  11. ^ Megan Twohey, "Lecturer denounces critics of his 9-11 teachings: 'Inside job' theory draws calls for firing, UW probe", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 9, 2006.
  12. ^ Scholars for 9/11 Truth - Who Are We
  13. ^ Dameron, Eva (2005, October 31). "Author makes case for murder". Daily Lobo (University of New Mexico). {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  • Non-Random Thoughts, Fetzer's weekly radio talk show on the Republic Broadcasting Network
  • Black Op Radio, a "political conspiracy research" talk show that Fetzer cohosts
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