Fascinating article. Personally I don't see why philosophical ideas can't be considered and critiqued, whilst at the same time not overlooking the failings of those who espoused them, and factoring these prejudices/failings into the equation. These people are products of their time and not without failings, even though some of their actions would surely have been considered beyond the pale regardless of the time period (nailing dogs to planks and cutting them open, for instance).