Philosopher's Zone

The forced removal of First Nations children from their families was active government policy in Australia between the 1910s and the 1970s, and still continues today under the banner of child protection. Today we're hearing that the story of the Stolen Generation has a historical parallel in the "child rescue" movement in 19th century Britain, when so-called "ragged children" were taken from their families - in many cases, abducted - and placed in institutions, to be trained and moulded into productive citizens.

We all feel we know what a conspiracy theory is: it's a belief held by other people about a conspiracy or conspiracies. Nobody likes being identified as a conspiracy theorist - including conspiracy theorists - and this makes life difficult for social scientists, psychologists and other researchers. When it comes to philosophy and the business of nailing down exactly what a conspiracy theory is, things get even muddier.

Our current "post-truth" environment means it's getting harder to trust what we see, hear and read - and this is a problem for all of us, but especially for educators and anyone in the business of teaching younger people about the world. This week we hear from a scholar who's looking to a modern philosophical tradition to come up with critical thinking strategies for students.

Jeff Sebo, an Associate Professor at NYU specializing in environmental ethics and author of "The Moral Circle," explores the expansion of our moral considerations. He discusses the evolving understanding of non-human beings, including insects and artificial intelligence, in our ethical frameworks. The conversation delves into the complexities of moral standing and the shifting landscape of animal rights, highlighting the emotional ties to pets and the ethical dilemmas we face. Sebo calls for careful thought on how we manage our responsibilities to all sentient beings.

Yuri Kath, a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at La Trobe University and author of "Knowing What It Is Like," dives into the complexities of experiential knowledge. He questions whether true understanding of feelings, like love or childbirth, requires firsthand experience. The discussion includes tiers of 'what it’s like' knowledge and the ethical nuances of representing life experiences in literature. Kath also examines how virtual reality can create empathy, while probing the limits of these simulators in conveying real emotions.

Laura D'Olimpio, an Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education at the University of Birmingham and author of "The Necessity of Aesthetic Education," discusses the crisis facing arts and humanities in education. She explores the vital role of aesthetic experiences in fostering engagement and appreciation of art. D'Olimpio challenges the idea that arts education is solely about self-expression, emphasizing its cultural significance and moral complexities. She also addresses the impact of societal attitudes on arts education and the need for effective communication in advocating for the arts.

Explore the revival of Wilfrid Sellars through the eyes of contemporary Continental philosophers, including unexpected interest from Marxists. Discover his dual views on the manifest and scientific images of reality, pushing for a richer understanding of truth. Delve into how his insights inform our responses to climate change and social reform, advocating for a blend of philosophy and natural science. Unpack the 'myth of the given' and its implications for knowledge acquisition, revealing the complexity of intellectual challenges we face today.

Matthew Sharp, an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Australian Catholic University, delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding representations of Auschwitz in literature and film. He shares a poignant personal account of visiting the site, revealing the complexities of human emotion amid atrocity. Sharp emphasizes the chilling relevance of Auschwitz's lessons today, examining the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia and the normalization of extremist ideologies. His insights challenge us to confront our own complicity in moral issues influenced by technology and social media.

Mariana Imaz, Academic Coordinator of Humanities at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, delves into the fascinating interplay between history and narrative. She challenges the traditional view of historians as mere fact-finders, emphasizing their role in constructing meaning from the past. The discussion covers how cultural influences shape historical narratives, the complexities of understanding events like the US invasion of Iraq, and the transformative power of diverse perspectives in assessing conflicting histories.

Libertarians are hard to pin down – they have a number of seemingly contradictory commitments that we normally associate with people on either the left or the right of politics. Libertarians like small government, low taxes and free markets – but they also favour things like same-sex marriage and drug legalisation. So what exactly is libertarianism, and where did it come from?