The Minefield

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a wave of “emergency politics”, in which the normal processes of democratic deliberation and public accountability have been suspended. In a public health crisis, is democratic dissent a problem to be solved, or a resource for a more sustainable, mutually beneficial outcome?

This discussion features Alexis Shotwell, a Professor of Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy at Carleton University, and author of 'Against Purity.' She dives into the complexities of national shame versus pride, exploring how reckoning with our past can foster political change. Shotwell contrasts how countries like America and Australia engage with their racial histories. The conversation also touches on the emotional weight of shame, the potential for healing through acknowledging injustices, and the importance of truth-telling in redefining national identities.

Jordan Gao, a Research Fellow at the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology, dives into the murky waters of space tourism driven by billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. He examines the ethical implications of private capital in space exploration and discusses the potential environmental impacts. Gao reflects on historical tragedies like the Challenger disaster, while questioning if these private ventures are true progress or mere publicity stunts. The conversation insists on the need for accountability and sustainability as humanity reaches for the cosmos.

The military coup, which overturned the results of last November’s national election, has plunged Myanmar into a cycle of escalating violence. This poses quite specific questions about the legitimacy and limits of revolutionary violence, and the kind of political community that might be left in its wake.

What is the prolonged experience of the pandemic showing us about the nature of Australian politics, the limits of executive power, the role of experts in the administration of public life, and the fault-lines that continue to undermine our sense of common purpose?

Tracy Laniera, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Ethics and Society, dives into the murky waters of nihilism and its implications for morality. The discussion highlights the clash between Batman's moral resolve and the Joker's chaos, raising questions about ethical frameworks. They explore how nihilism doesn't negate moral responsibility, arguing instead for a personal approach to ethics in a seemingly indifferent universe. The conversation also touches on democratic coexistence and the role of lived experiences in shaping responses to societal injustices.

Is the conviction and sentencing of Derek Chauvin something to be celebrated as an indication of moral progress? Can the shared horror over George Floyd’s murder, and the solidarity that followed it, galvanise a fresh commitment to justice and a preparedness to sacrifice existing privileges?

Michelle Boulos-Walker, an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and expert on Hannah Arendt's work, explores the philosophical dimensions of laughter. She discusses how laughter can transcend mere ridicule, serving as a transformative force in human interactions. The conversation delves into the duality of humor, the moral implications of toilet humor, and how laughter reveals deeper truths about pain and social dynamics. By connecting philosophical insights with real-life anecdotes, they highlight laughter's complex role in navigating ethical dilemmas and its historical significance.

Should we be bound by the constraints of our former self, and the promises we have made in the past? Is moral progress a matter of consistency with one’s previous self, away from one’s previous self, or toward ever-enriching relationships with others?

Should certain privileges be afforded to those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine (from international travel to attending sports venues and restaurants)? Could such privileges act as incentives (and if so, under what conditions), or are they more likely to produce deep feelings of inequity and resentment?