Yossi Nehushtan remembers Joseph Raz
I had the life-changing privilege of having Joseph as my BCL dissertation supervisor, then my MPhil supervisor, and finally my DPhil supervisor. I cannot imagine my academic career, abilities, thinking, and identity, without his caring and challenging mentorship. Joseph was a philosophy giant and legend not just because of his timeless contribution to legal, moral, and political philosophy, but also because of his rigorous supervision style and the time he dedicated to his students. And I was no exception. I owe him my academic brain. At least the good parts of it.
When we first met to discuss my written work, he gave me comments on a draft I sent him. I wanted to impress him with my commitment, so I told him that I will reply to his comments within 2 weeks. He looked at me and said: 'if you reply within 2 weeks, it will mean that you have not thought about my comments well enough'. And when I carefully read his comments, I understood why he said that. EVERY comment I ever got from him made my brain explode. And after every explosion, my brain improved... having Joseph as my supervisor was the most challenging, enjoyable, and beneficial experience of my academic life.
After I graduated, I visited him in London as often as I could. It was always over a superb lunch or dinner which was always his treat. I kept telling him that I am not a poor student anymore and that I can finally afford paying for my meals, but he never listened.
The last time we met was a few months ago, in London. His brain was as sharp as ever, but I had a disturbing feeling that that was our last meeting. His last words to me were 'be good, Yossi'... and like with almost everything else he ever told me, I spent hours (over)thinking what he meant by that. Shall I be good at what I do? shall I be a good person? shall I stop being a rebel and start obeying authorities every now and then?...
Everything in life disappears. Time, opportunities, hopes and dreams, people who we loved, memories, the persons we once were, the persons we are now. Everything eventually disappears. But some people leave a mark in other people's lives.
They change them - and their lives' course. These changed people will then sometimes change the lives of others. The way I work with my students and care about them, is a direct result of my experience with Joseph. Very few people affected their students the way Joseph did. That impact, both academic and personal, will not easily disappear.
Thank you for everything, dear Joseph, and be good...
Professor Yossi Nehushtan, Keele University