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Why was Vargas Llosa's use of the expression "complete buggles" for the influence of Derrida and Lacan a linguistic error (THES, July 26)? Given Vargas Llosa's command of English, and his literary abilities, it is more likely that the neologism was a deliberate (and highly appropriate) coinage. ostmodernism is complete buggles.

Roger Scruton (THES, June 28) suggests that cruelty to animals is morally justified if it is part of the ritual slaughter. Surely we should suggest that a religion that requires animals to suffer in that way is itself morally questionable?

R. Harwood Department of philosophy University of Reading