Uncommon Sense

Philosopher and writer Eleanor Gordon-Smith came in to chat about her new book, Stop Being Reasonable, which explores the features and limits of rational argument and what really changes our minds.

Australian political history expert, writer, and publisher of AustralianPolitics.com, Malcolm Farnsworth analyses the significance of the federal election results and what it means for Australia, plus we remember former Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Australian political history expert, writer, and publisher of AustralianPolitics.com, Malcolm Farnsworth analyses the significance of the federal election results and what it means for Australia, plus we remember former Prime Minister Bob Hawke; ecologists Dr Georgia Garrard from RMIT and Professor Brendan Wintle from Melbourne University and who is also Director of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub, discuss the conservation status of the Western Grassland Reserve in Melbourne's outer-suburbs which was proposed in 2009 as an "offset" for new housing developments, and why our environmental laws need to be robust enough to prevent the ecological and extinction crises we face; plus Ben Eltham on what's next for the federal Coalition government and the politically wounded federal Australian Labor Party.

David Walker, Emeritus Professor at Deakin University, joined Amy in the studio to discuss his new book, Stranded Nation: White Australia in an Asian Region (UWA Press). It provides a nuanced history of Australia's relationship with and perception of Asia in the late 19th century and early-mid 20th century. David and Amy discuss Australia's relationship with China and Japan in some depth.

David Walker, Emeritus Professor at Deakin University, joined Amy in the studio to discuss his new book, Stranded Nation: White Australia in an Asian Region (UWA Press). It provides a nuanced history of Australia's relationship with and perception of Asia in the late 19th century and early-mid 20th century. David and Amy discuss Australia's relationship with China and Japan in some depth. Emma Dawson, Executive Director of Per Capita, came in to discuss the major policy differences between the two major parties at the upcoming federal election, particularly in social security and taxation. Plus Ben Eltham from New Matilda on the latest in federal politics.

Renowned philosopher Peter Singer, Professor in Bioethics at Princeton University, joined Amy to discuss utilitarianism and effective altruism, as well as his philosophical arguments on how we should treat animals. We also discussed his seminal work, Animal Liberation, first published in 1975. Peter Singer is appearing as part of Law Week for Lawyers for Animals.

Renowned philosopher Peter Singer, Professor in Bioethics at Princeton University, joined Amy to discuss utilitarianism and effective altruism, as well as his philosophical arguments on how we should treat animals. We also discussed his seminal work, Animal Liberation, first published in 1975. Peter Singer is appearing as part of Law Week for Lawyers for Animals. Historians Ruth Lee and Heather Sheard came in to discuss the brave and tenacious Australian women doctors who set up military hospitals and served on the frontline in World War I. Their book is called, Women To The Front. Plus Ben Eltham on the latest in federal politics and the election campaign.

Australias first music thanatologist Peter Roberts plays the harp for the sick and dying. Farshid Akhlaghi has made a film about Peter and the special impact hes had on the lives of many, especially in Geelong. Farshid and Peter joined Amy in the studio to discuss the Australian Premiere ofFrom Music into Silence- screening at Cinema Nova in May. Peter also played his harp for us. Acclaimed actors John Bell and Jessica Tovey came in to chat about Bell Shakespeare's production of Molires classic comedyThe Miserand how theyve brought the new adaptation by Justin Fleming to life! Its showing at the Arts Centre in Melbourne. Plus Ben Eltham from New Matilda discussed the federal election campaign so far.

Australias first music thanatologist Peter Roberts plays the harp for the sick and dying. Farshid Akhlaghi has made a film about Peter and the special impact hes had on the lives of many, especially in Geelong. Farshid and Peter joined Amy in the studio to discuss the Australian Premiere ofFrom Music into Silence- screening at Cinema Nova in May. Peter also played his harp for us.

Comedians Annie Louey and Diana Nguyen join Amy to discuss their shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the art of comedy; the Grattan Institute's Director of the Budget Policy and Institutional Reform Program, Danielle Wood explains Labor's franking credits policy, the Coalition's attack on the policy, and why Labor is focusing its attention on intergenerational inequality this election; plus Ben Eltham from New Matilda on the federal election campaign so far.