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opinion

After the end of the Gaza conflict, recognition of a Palestinian state best serves the cause of peace

Benjamin Netanyahu will likely not lead Israel much longer, and the conflict in Gaza will come to an end — but what happens then? Will recognition of a Palestinian state contribute to closer relations between Israel and other Arab nations?

by: Victor Kattan

opinion

Rethinking the mantra of biodiversity: Why the past should not determine the future

NSW has recently begun the aerial killings of 14,000 feral horses in Kosciuszko in the name of protecting biodiversity. But why should conserving native species diversity take precedence over other inherently valuable expressions of animal life?

by: Pablo Castelló and Francisco Santiago-Ávila

opinion

Aging behind bars: How should we address the unseen crisis of dementia in prison?

In Australia and overseas there are more older people in prisons — not only does this present challenges in managing aged-related illnesses, it also raises serious questions about how we treat those who are incarcerated.

by: Ella Kofoed and Margaret Nixon

Beautiful people are better liked, richer and more successful. Two philosophers explain why

Human preoccupation with beauty has a long history, but these experts say something new is at play. 
A pop art illustration of a woman wearing sunglasses, with thumbs up emojis in the glass.

by: By Anna Levy for The Philosopher's Zone

opinion

Fanaticism aside, how to explain the appeal of live music events like Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”?

What drives thousands of people to endure long waits, brave discomfort and even health risks, all to purchase tickets or attend a packed concert venue? Could the attraction be something more than the charisma of stars like Taylor Swift?

by: Milad Haghani and Amanda Krause

opinion

Should governments break election commitments that no longer align with their values?

The media’s response to the federal government’s change of heart on the Stage 3 tax cuts, and PM Anthony Albanese’s attempt to justify this change to the public, reveal a lot about how we have come to understand democracy in Australia.

by: Luara Ferracioli and Ryan Cox

opinion

How gendered ideas are constraining the debate over decriminalising sex work

One of the reasons that the debate over decriminalisation is so difficult is that sex work challenges the gendered ideas that form our identities and meaning making about acceptable sexual norms.

by: Sarah Wendt

opinion

Anti-social media: What can be done to stop platforms from driving democracies apart?

Research demonstrates that the social platforms designed to captivate our attention can foster environments where mental health deteriorates, political divides widen, and extremism finds fertile ground.

by: Uri Gal

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Compass

Awe Hunters with Julia Baird - Summer Series

Julia Baird faces down the darkness of her cancer diagnosis and joins fellow seekers of wonder. She discovers that awe has shaped our civilisations, driven people to change their lives and ultimately make them happier.
Julia Baird wearing a wetsuit standing in front of water

Published:

Jewish Singles in the Snow - Summer Series

Jewish singles travel to the Victorian Alps in hope of finding a love that will enable the continuation of their faith and culture. Filmmaker Josh Ben-Moshe discusses the struggles involved in holding onto Jewish identity.
Jewish young male and female sitting outside in the snow smiling wearing ski gear 

Published:

Angels, Demons and Money - Summer Series

Is money the root of all evil? Indira Naidoo is joined by a panel for a thought-provoking discussion on why money has such a hold on us. Can you have too much money? Does money make you happy? How much should you give away?
host and panelists sit on a panel labeled Compass with a red curtain behind

Published:

Turning the Tide - Summer Series

A diverse group of young people learn to sail a Tall Ship. Taken out of their comfort zone, they discover new qualities and skills. The kids find themselves becoming part of a community where everyone plays a vital role.
Group of teenagers sitting on top of a tall ship mast with blue sky back ground

Published:

Listen

Candlemas

'Nunc dimittis', loveliest of musical offerings at life's, or day's end.
Simeon
Duration: 2 hours

Published: Program: For The God Who Sings

Zen and protest in a changing climate

How do we live with care and attention on this beautiful, but warming planet?  We meet leading Zen teacher Susan Murphy. She's re-thinking the wisdom stories of her tradition, after having to flee her home during the 2019 bushfires.
Early morning sun warming over the fog, and trees in foreground
Duration: 54 minutes 6 seconds

Published: Program: Soul Search

What are Australian philosophers thinking?

Australian philosophy has been punching above its weight in recent decades - but does there exist something that we could call an identifiably Australian philosophical tradition? And how does the future of Australian philosophy look, at a time when…
Sunlight breaks through a stand of California Redwoods in South Australia, illuminating a seated man
Duration: 34 minutes 7 seconds

Published: Program: Philosopher's Zone

Imran Khan convicted of breaking Islamic marriage law, and the ethics of espionage

How President Biden's strong support for Israel could weaken Democratic support among Muslim voters, the ethics of espionage, and Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi convicted of breaking Islamic marriage law.
Illustration of a hand holding a microphone at a yellow circle
Duration: 28 minutes 38 seconds

Published: Program: The Religion and Ethics Report

Holy bones: the enduring power of relics

From the sacred remains of saints to the revered memorabilia of celebrities and  sporting stars, relics are objects that act as a kind of a bridge between the material and spiritual world.
A mummified arm of a saint in a glass case, displayed inside a church
Duration: 54 minutes 4 seconds

Published: Program: God Forbid

The ethics of espionage

The business of espionage certainly involves a multitude of sins: deception, blackmail, betrayal, and even murder. So can there be an ethical form of espionage?
hand holds phone with image of CIA logo on it
Duration: 16 minutes 43 seconds

Published: Program: The Religion and Ethics Report

What is the harm in “deepfakes” — and what are they doing to democracy?

Over the last 18 months, enormously powerful generative AI tools have been placed in the hands of anyone who wants them; as a consequence, the internet and our social media feeds have been inundated with wholly or partially synthetic content.
Duration: 53 minutes 31 seconds

Published: Program: The Minefield

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