The Ethics Centre

08/10/2026

Whether it's troops, money, or force – is it ever justified for one nation to intervene in the affairs of another?

Who decides such questions? Who bears the cost – of both inaction and intervention?

Former soldier and military strategist and adviser, Dr David Kilcullen discusses with academic Dr Gwilym David Blunt when stepping in is a duty, when it’s a trespass, and how we tell the difference.

Join us in person and online for The Ethics of Intervention on Tuesday 20 October, 6:30pm AEDT.

Book now: https://ethics.org.au/event/the-ethics-of-intervention/

06/10/2026

Your favourite song comes on – and so does the memory of the controversy its creator caused. Do you skip it, stream it, or something in between?

These debates often collapse into a false binary: separate the art from the artist entirely, or reject both. Young writer Ariel Bai argues there's a third way – one grounded in ethical responsibility and the choices we make as consumers every day.

Separating art from the artist isn't simple. This ethical framework helps unpack what we owe as consumers when creators are controversial.

05/10/2026

We've spent our whole history assuming that death is inevitable. What if it isn't?

International bestselling novelist Neal Shusterman has imagined a world that ‘cured' death – this November he joins philosopher Dr Tim Dean to discuss what we'd lose if we won the fight against our own mortality.

Join us in person and online for The Ethics of Immortality on Wednesday 4 November, 6:30pm AEDT.

Book now and save with an event multipack.

https://ethics.org.au/event/the-ethics-of-immortality

04/10/2026

Calling all writers aged 13–29 ✍️

The Ethics Centre's annual non-fiction writing competition is back – as part of our commitment to amplifying young people's perspectives, we're inviting young writers to tell us what an ethical society looks like to them.

The winner of each age category will receive a prize pack valued at $500, comprising a $250 cash prize and a $250 Rhodia voucher. They will also have their essay published digitally by The Ethics Centre. Two runners-up in each age category will also have their essays published digitally by The Ethics Centre.

Applications are now open and must close 1 November 11:59pm.

https://ethics.org.au/connect/young-writers-competition/

04/10/2026

Guilt says “I did something bad”, while shame whispers “I am bad”.

Shame is a complicated emotion. It’s most often characterised by feelings of inadequacy, humiliation and self-consciousness in relation to ourselves, others or social and cultural standards, sometimes resulting in a sense of exposure or vulnerability, although many philosophers disagree about which of these are necessary aspects of shame.

Shame certainly has potential to be a force for good if it reminds us of moral standards, or in trying to avoid it we are motivated to abide by moral standards, but it’s important to retain a level of awareness that shame alone is often not enough to define and maintain the ethical playing field.

Shame is most often characterised by feelings of inadequacy, humiliation and self-consciousness in relation to ourselves or social norms.

29/09/2026

We're familiar with accountability when it's imposed – public figures held to account, systems of compliance, punishment and force. But what happens when we invite accountability?

Writer Emma Wilkins explores the forms of accountability we rarely talk about, and why courting it might be one of the most underrated things we can do for ourselves and each other.

We're quick to think of accountability as punishment. But what about when it works – quietly, relationally, or by choice?

28/09/2026

Is it ever justified for one nation to intervene in the affairs of another?

As part of our interactive conversation series, former soldier and military strategist Dr David Kilcullen and academic Dr Gwilym David Blunt examine when stepping in is a duty, when it's a trespass, and how we tell the difference.

Join us in person and online for The Ethics of Intervention on Tuesday 20 October, 6:30pm AEDT.

Book now and save with an event multipack.

https://ethics.org.au/event/the-ethics-of-intervention/

27/09/2026

Kate Manne (1983 – present) is an Australian philosopher who works at the intersection of feminist philosophy, metaethics, and moral psychology, dissecting misogyny and masculine entitlement.

Through her work, she has developed and defended a robust definition of misogyny that allows us to better analyse the prevalence of violence and discrimination against women in contemporary society.

Kate Manne (1983 – present) is an Australian philosopher who works at the intersection of feminist philosophy, metaethics, and moral psychology.

25/09/2026

It is suitably ironic that one of the most poignant, and pertinent, moments in Homer’s The Odyssey was airbrushed out of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation. The first time we meet Odysseus, the endlessly resourceful architect of the fall of Troy, he is indeed weeping on the shores of the...

23/09/2026

What ethical tensions arise when human beings step into territory that was never ours to claim – life, death, sovereignty and the right to decide what a good life even means?

From intervention to immortality to happiness, join us in person or online for three provocative, interactive conversations with leading philosophers and special guests.

💡 Is it ever justified for one nation to intervene in the affairs of another? Former soldier and military strategist and adviser Dr David Kilcullen joins Dr Gwilym David Blunt for The Ethics of Intervention on 20 October, 6:30pm AEDT.

💡 What if death isn't inevitable? Bestselling novelist Neal Shusterman joins philosopher Dr Tim Dean for The Ethics of Immortality on 4 November, 6:30pm AEDT.

💡 Is a happy life necessarily a good life? Philosopher Dr Caroline West examines The Ethics of Happiness on 26 November, 6:30pm AEDT.

In person seats are strictly limited – book and save with a multipack for just $99 (or $39 for the livestream).

https://events.humanitix.com/the-ethics-of-intervention-immortality-happiness