Uncategorized

Surviving and Thriving during Covid-19: Why we must accept the ‘human factor’ in ethical decision-making

First published in 2020 with The Banking and Finance Oath It is not news to say that Melbourne has fared poorly during the pandemic. The sudden onset of a second wave, dwarfing the first in severity and plunging us suddenly from a relaxed level 2 lockdown all the way to a level 4, complete with […]

Surviving and Thriving during Covid-19: Why we must accept the ‘human factor’ in ethical decision-making Read More »

Population Control: The Inevitable Fall of ‘Fortress Australia’

First published in 2018 with The Ethics Centre There are few topics that both sides of politics can agree upon these days, but one issue that does bridge this ever-widening divide is the question of population growth. Whether the cause of concern is immigration or environmental sustainability, fiscal responsibility or social justice, the fact that

Population Control: The Inevitable Fall of ‘Fortress Australia’ Read More »

Every Dollar as a Vote: The Ethics of Capitalism

First published in 2018 with The Ethics Centre If the last decade of Australian politics has taught us anything it is this: democracy is a deeply flawed system. Between the leadership spills, minority governments, ministerial scandals, legal corruption, and campaign donations, democracy is leaving more of us disillusioned and distrustful. And that’s just in Australia.

Every Dollar as a Vote: The Ethics of Capitalism Read More »

Metaphysical Myth Busting – the cowardice of the ‘Post-truth’ concept

First published in 2018 with The Ethics Centre One of the more disturbing trends to emerge in public discourse recently has been the idea that we live in a ‘post-truth’ era. While the phrase has most often been used in reference to President Trump’s frequent and shameless self-contradictions, it is also reflected in other debates.

Metaphysical Myth Busting – the cowardice of the ‘Post-truth’ concept Read More »

‘Cripping up’; the Newest Version of Blackface?

First published in 2017 While social justice issues such as gender, racial and most recently sexuality equality are well established conversations in Australian society, the discussion around disabled rights is significantly less developed. Significant progress has certainly been made from the days when the disabled were considered lost causes, or even targets for racial ‘cleansing’.

‘Cripping up’; the Newest Version of Blackface? Read More »

Saviour or Saboteur? In insurance, intent is everything

First published in 2017 For an industry founded on helping people during the worst moments of their lives, insurance suffers surprisingly poor PR. Research conducted by Roy Morgan indicates that the insurance industry is among the least trusted professions in Australia, rating barely ahead of car salesmen in terms of public perceptions of trustworthiness. This

Saviour or Saboteur? In insurance, intent is everything Read More »

Triggered: the Case for, and Limits of, Trigger Warnings in Tertiary Education

First published in 2016 with The Ethics Centre In the great debate about political correctness, ‘trigger warnings’ is one of the most fiercely contested concepts. By demanding that audiences be warned of content and ideas that may be traumatic, proponents aim to protect the vulnerable from harm and exclusion. Meanwhile detractors describe such measures as

Triggered: the Case for, and Limits of, Trigger Warnings in Tertiary Education Read More »