The Minefield

Perhaps no “moral emotion” in our time is more reviled than shame. It is regarded, certainly in the West, as uniquely destructive to a healthy sense of self, as psychologically damaging and socially abusive, and to be avoided at all costs. Professor Owen Flanagan joins Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens to discuss whether shame has been given a bad rap, and why we might need more of it.

In his speech to the Garma Festival, PM Anthony Albanese put it to the nation that constitutionally enshrining a First Nations Voice would not undermine Australia’s national identity, but more fully express it. Professor Tim Soutphommasane joins Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens to discuss the nature and moral limits of patriotism, and whether it can co-exist with an appropriate sense of national remorse, even shame.

Yolande Strengers, an Associate Professor at Monash University and co-author of 'The Smart Wife,' joins the discussion on the ethical implications of voice assistants imitating deceased loved ones. The conversation probes the emotional turmoil this technology may invoke and critiques the commodification of grief. They delve into parallels with dystopian narratives, emphasizing the risks of idealized memories and the disconnect that arises from synthetic versions of loved ones. The episode ultimately questions our relationship with technology and the authenticity of human connections.

Following the ignominious resignation of Boris Johnson, the Tories are looking for a new leader — and the UK a new Prime Minister. The cast of contenders is the most diverse we’ve seen, but that hasn’t yielded a notably different political vision. Why? ANU political scientist Marija Taflaga joins Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens to discuss the significance of and constraints on diversity in political representation.

Democratic politics is more than a matter of power. It is predicated on the possibility of discovering common ground through practices of mutual recognition, exchange, attentiveness, and understanding.

In Jane Austen’s novel Emma, we find an abiding concern with the demands, not just of propriety, but of morality, an attentiveness to the dangers of self-deception, and vivid reminders of the importance of friendship to progress in the moral life.

Far too much debate today is more like a play of competing monologues, or self-promotion designed to perform for one’s tribe. Should we give up on the fantasy of persuasion through argumentation and cascading theses altogether?

Julian Assange’s defenders claim that the free speech protections afforded to news organisations should apply to Assange as well — and that his impending extradition to the US therefore poses a threat to democracy. Professor Katharine Gelber joins Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens to discuss whether the free speech argument holds.

Robert Simpson, an Associate Professor in Philosophy at University College London, dives into the intriguing world of political comedy. He discusses how political humor shapes modern discourse, especially during the Trump era, and the pressures comedians face to balance artistry with political commentary. The conversation highlights how comedy can humanize leaders, foster unity against common foes, and even reflect deeper moral implications. Simpson argues for a more rigorous approach to political discourse, suggesting that snark often overshadows meaningful engagement.

Professor Megan Davis joins the hosts to discuss the obstacles of a constitutional referendum and how a First Nations Voice might transform politics. They explore the significance of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the importance of reconciliation, indigenous critics, and the challenges of constitutional recognition in Australia.