Flinders University - Department of Philosophy: Centre for Applied Philosophy

The conference addressed the issue of what we owe to people other than our own citizens.

Serious questions have been raised about the adequacy of AustraliaÍs response to the problem of refugees and aid to reduce poverty and human rights abuses in many countries around the world today. Does our current policy of mandatory detention violate the rights of asylum seekers? Does our present overseas aid policy meet the claims of those in dire need as a result of avoidable poverty or human rights abuses?

The aim of the conference was to advance debate on these issues from philosophical, legal, religious and political perspectives.

Saving the Murray: Problems and Prospects of Governance
February 2001
The Centre for Applied Philosophy at Flinders, the Centre for Groundwater Studies and the University of South held a conference on the problems of the Murray-Darling Basin in February 2001. The object of the conference was the integration of the disparate issues of the public debate on the Murray and the problems of governance, focussing on effective ways for NRM's to manage themselves and regulate natural resources in a sustainable manner. It provided a forum for discussion of feasible long-term solutions for future sustainable use of the Murray-Darling Basin and its management, as well as dealing with the current issues of pollution, flow and salinity and
industry.

The conference had several aims:
To use the forum model to bring together key stakeholders in the region to:

1. identify the issues, areas of conflict surrounding management of the Murray region and provide a forum for public debate.
2. identify the key challenges to NRM's and the regional communities to manage their natural resources.
3. provide access to high quality research and effective community initiatives in sustainable management of resources.
4. provide a framework to integrate the various government, community and local organisations working on the problems of the Murray to maximise effective sustainable management of natural resources.

Human Cloning - confronting science, confronting identity
Producing an identical genetic copy of an individual is feasible. Is it repugnant? Should it be allowed? What does it mean to be "an individual"? How much of our future is determined by our genes? Would clones have moral rights and responsibilities?
Dr David Turner, Department of Haematology, School of Medicine, Flinders University

Designer Bodies - the quest for physical perfection
Changing one's body with plastic surgery. The ethical problems of treating congenital or acquired facial deformity and changes for purely cosmetic purposes; issues include prenatal diagnosis, resources, new technology, advertising and autonomy.
Mr David David, AC, MD. Head of the Australian Craniofacial Unit

Designer Babies - the perfect child
The ethics of using genetic manipulation of the foetus for health reasons or for just choosing gender and other desired physical/intellectual characteristics. How far should we go?
Associate Professor Ian Hunt, Department of Philosophy, Flinders University
Designer_Babies pdf (123kb)

Designer Drugs - the instant fix
Issues of the use of lifestyle drugs such as Prozac to improve one's well-being. Can we find happiness in a bottle? Is it wrong? Viagra - What are the implications of this new sexual performance enhancement? Are there limits to which a drug can provide sexual satisfaction? Can intimacy be designed?
Rodney Allen, Department of Philosophy, Flinders University
Dr Andrew McDowell, School of Medicine, FMC

Designer Foods
Humans have always modified their food plants so that almost none of the ones we now use would be viable without our intervention. That intervention brings both known costs and unknown risks. Any new approach should not just examine the costs, benefits and risks in isolation but should compare these to existing technology and likely alternatives. How safe is our food? Discussion of the public health and safety of genetically modified foods.
Professor John Wheldrake, Department of Biology, Flinders University
Dr Judy Carman, Research Centre for Injury Studies, Science Park.

The Future of Solidarity
February 8th - 9th 1999
The conference discussed the value and feasibility of solidarity in contemporary Australia. Specific topics addressed included:

Trade Union Exclusion: the workplace relation act 1996 - Amanda Coulthard, Bond University
Right Against Right: are current legal limits on Trade Union action justified? - Ian Hunt, Flinders University
Constructing Solidarity in North America Today: parallels and contrasts with Australia - Barbara Pocock, University of Adelaide
Dislocated Identities? Modern Sources of Social Differentiation and Trade Union Identities: evidence from Canada - Stephane Le Queux, University of Newcastle/Gregor Murray, Laval University, Quebec
Solidarity and Public Morality in the 1998 Waterfront Dispute - Mary Walsh/Mark Bahnisch, Queensland University of Technology
Strategic Unionism: a new approach to the concept of solidarity- Roy Green,University of Newcastle

AAHPSSS Annual Conference
July 7th - 10th 1998
The Centre for Applied Philosophy and the Flinders Philosophy Department hosted the1998 AAHPSSS (Australasian Association of History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science) Conference in July at Flinders University. The Dyason lecturer was Professor John Norton. His topic was "Exocist XIV: The Wrath of Maxwell's Demon".

"The Ethos of the University: Hard Times and the West Review"
November 23rd - 24th 1997
The Centre for Applied Philosophy (CAP) and the Flinders Institute for the Study of Teaching (FIST) held an interdisciplinary conference on Universities and the impact of the West discussion paper in late November,1997.

"Cultural Heritage : Values and Rights"
October 3rd - 4th 1996
"The issue of Cultural Heritage has been attracting a great deal of interest. It is widely believed that cultural heritage is crucial in creating and maintaining identity, and in promoting self-confidence and pride. This particular conference focussed on the philosophical and legal aspects of cultural heritage. Papers ranged from issues of Aboriginal Heritage to the status of Shipwrecks to definitions of "Cultural Items".

An edited selection of these papers has been published and is available from the Centre or from UniBooks, Flinders University.

Centre for Applied Philosophy (CAP)

Past Conferences