From: aps@sonia.math.ucla.edu (Alexei Stolboushkin)
Subject: Re: Hands off Shafarevich!
Organization: UCLA Mathematics Department
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 92 21:16:24 GMT

In article <1992Sep6.170631.11249@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu> pv02@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (PETER VOROBIEFF) writes:
>Hi everybody!
>
>I've decided to join the discussion concerning Shafarevich because
>it is of personal importance to me. I have been introduced to 
>Igor Rostislavovich (though, most probably, he does not
>remember me), I have read his book ...

which one do you mean? Many of us have read ``Algebraicheskaya teorija
chisel'' of Borevich&Shafarevich.

>...and I know a few things about
>his life. Of course, I do not force anybody to share my opinion, 
>but I think that to some people a bit of extra information about
>Shafarevich may be of interest.
>
>First, Shafarevich was for years among the most prominent figures 
>in the human rights movement in Russia. He was one of the friends
>of Sakharov, and on short terms with Solzhenitsyn too. As a dissident
>he got a reputation of a man of unbendable will and high moral stature.

as you may see, for example, from this discussion, he got different
reputations...

>
>Second, the book Russophobia really contains a disputable view on the
>Russian history. As it seems to me, it tends to diminish the power 
>and importance of the Russian nation. But there is nothing chauvinistic
>in it (and no special offence to Jews either).

it would be interesting to have a second opinion on the book. Seemingly,
many people on the net (including myself) did not read it. It was a
common point that the book is anti-semitic; however, as the opinion is
questioned now, could somebody volunteer to look the book through, and
to publish a review, including quotations, if needed.

It is also noticeable, that Shafarevich was not elected a member of
the USSR Academy of Sciences after his scientific achievements (which are
undisputable; Golod-Shafarevich theorem is just one example). However,
as soon as he published the book in question and started to write for
``chernosotennykh'' editions, he got the membership in the Academy.
Wasn't the decision of the honored Soviet academicians also motivated,
in some extent, by non-scientific reason, and if so, do you blame the 
decision?

>
>Third, Shafarevich is a great nice old guy, and when I read NAMES some
>people call him, I just want to, hmm, I'll probably omit the next few words.
>Please don't call him NAMES - it's rude, it's ugly, it's uncivilised.
>Even if you don't share his views and ESPECIALLY when you don't even know
>them.
>
>And do remember, that the only EXPELLED member of any academy in the
>history was Einstein. And NAZIES expelled him.
>-- 

there is now two separate lines of the discussion. One is, is Shafarevich
an outspoken antisemit, and in particular are his views expressed in the
book ``Russophobia'' antisemitic, russophile, or neither.

Another one is, should non-scientific reason be considered by NAS
(in conjunction to scientific) when making decisions on membership.

I did not completely get you point. I understand that you are against
the steps made by NAS to force Shafarevich to leave the Academy.
However, NAS shouldn't do it because (please clarify):

-you were introduced to Igor' Rostislavovich (or Rostislavich?);
-you have read his book;
-he was a friend of Sakharov and Solzhenitsin;
-he was a known dissident with high reputation;
-his book isn't offensive for Jews (and if it would be offensive,
 you would support the steps);
-you believe that NAS should not consider non-scientific reason
 when making decisions on membership (this is essentially what
 Sasha Shen' has written in the original article).

I also encourage the netters to reduce, or preferably eliminate, the
use of strong language, and not because somebody happens to be old,
great, nice, or a guy (small young women deserve politeness, too),
but just because it is more civilized.

---
All opinions are mine
---