Anatomy of Evil
Humanity has demonstrated, time and again, a horrific tendency to destroy its own kind – often for no reason other than to eliminate difference and impose uniformity of identity. At its worst, this tendency has led to the destruction of whole peoples – the crime against humanity of genocide. Given the massive moral weight of this term, we are justifiably cautious about its application. Too restricted an application will make us blind to gross evil in the world. Too loose an application will desensitise us to its significance. So, what is ‘genocide’ and what criteria should be applied to its proper use? And how should we respond to its presence in the world? Join philosophers Stan Grant and Simon Longstaff as they explore what is to be said about the worst of which our kind is capable.
Stan Grant
Stan Grant is Distinguished Professor and Chair of Yindyamarra Nguluway Trust at Charles Sturt University. He has a Doctorate of Theology and was formerly ABC’s Global Affairs and Indigenous Affairs Analyst and host of news program Q+A. He is one of Australia’s most respected and awarded journalists, with more than 40 years experience in radio and television news and current affairs. For more than a decade he was CNN’s senior international correspondent based in China and the Middle East. He is the author of seven critically lauded bestselling books and the producer and writer of the Australian Academy Award winning documentary The Australian Dream examining the racist abuse of footballer Adam Goodes. Stan has a strong reputation for independence and integrity and has covered the biggest stories of our world for the past four decades including interviewing many Australian and world political leaders.
Simon Longstaff
Simon Longstaff began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1991, Simon commenced his work as the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, a role he continues today. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW Sydney, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute.
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