Australia is probably typical of the English speaking west in that it’s citizens are being buried in an avalanche of red tape. The litigious society meets the risk-averse society and the answer seems to be bureaucracy. We have occupational health … Continue reading
The Ethics of Selfishness was always intended as an introduction to this article, which broadly speaking deals with altruism. I wanted to outline a proposal for a system of public ethics which was sufficient in scope to provide a useful … Continue reading
Sixty one years ago the human race left behind the unconscious cruelty of children to demonstrate a studied and mature capacity for evil. Seventy five thousand lives were snuffed out in an instant, and as many again died more slowly … Continue reading
This is intended as a sort of postscript to The ethics of selfishness. Most people are primarily motivated by self interest, but it’s worth considering what form this takes. The simplest self interest is to gain pleasure and avoid pain; … Continue reading
If a person puts their own self-interest above all other considerations, they are said to be an egoist. Someone who claims that doing what is in their self interest is morally right is an ethical egoist, and someone who claims … Continue reading
There’s a DJ who played at some of our parties who had an album called Edges R Fun. I asked him why he’d called it that, and his reponse was to ask me what I thought. Which launched me into … Continue reading
I met Ciaron O’Reilly six years ago, at a demonstration outside the World Economic Forum in Melbourne. He struck me as committed, sensible, passionate. I was moved by the sacrifice of the Ploughshares movement and although I’m not a Christian … Continue reading
I present this with a certain amount of trepidation, although it’s a topic in which I’ve had an interest for a number of years. If you think, reading it, that it’s unduly contentious, or that I’m being inflammatory, then please … Continue reading
Many things about the modern world are a really big improvement on previous centuries. Antibiotics and immunisation, for example, are just brilliant. The printing press and the internet both get a big tick. The combination of food security, medicine, and … Continue reading
In a dry glacial valley, 1000m above sea level and 40 miles from the coast of Antarctica, a friend of mine was shown the mummified remains of a seal. The scientist from Davis base who had taken him there asked … Continue reading
If you’re the biggest, toughest guy around you’re going to make some enemies. If you put on a cape and a mask and gird your loins with a utility belt, jump into the Bat-Car and declare that you’re going to … Continue reading
An attempt at a universalist approach to Human Rights, which if not culturally neutral, at least imposes an explicit moral underpinning rather than an implicit set of cultural values. Liberals are conflicted people. It’s not a bad thing, it comes … Continue reading
The people of the west in the twentyfirst century are by and large the best fed, least disease prone, and longest lived population the world has ever known, and they seem likely to remain this way as long as global … Continue reading
This is the third part of a series examining the morality of the behaviour of groups, corporations and governments. The first two talk about the Psychology of tribes, and Meme systems and category mistakes. This time I’m really going out … Continue reading
This is the second part of a series of articles which will make up an examination of the morality of behaviour of groups, corporations and governments.Disclaimer This article buys into a lot of the same territory as the film “The … Continue reading
This is the first part of a series of articles which will make up an examination of the morality of behaviour of groups, corporations and governments. Morality of Groups 1: the psychology of tribes When acting in ways which relate … Continue reading
John Howard refuses to say “sorry” to the stolen generation. The British Museum refuses to return the Elgin Marbles. The west may no longer talk of white man’s burden, but there is also little mention of the Opium Wars, or … Continue reading
Ten principles of non-violent action: Humiliating or deliberately provoking your opponent invites violence. Knowing your facts and arguments well helps avoid violence. If you are open about your cause your opponent is less likely to be violent. Look for common … Continue reading
Fundamentalists treat their believers like children. As this excellent blog points out. And it’s about time a few more of the believers grew up and demanded more from their religious and secular leaders. I think, and it came to me … Continue reading