Scholarly Debates

Sometimes scholarly journals or the editors of an anthology organize a discussion forum on a newly published book they consider important. Three to five reviewers are invited, and the author is asked to respond to the comments. Or one is given the opportunity to respond in equal detail to a single, in-depth review. I have always been happy to take advantage of this, seeing it as a chance to clarify or further develop my thoughts. Even without the texts of my critics, my responses reflect the current state of the scholarly discussion and my own thinking.