A conversation with Professor Lisa Ellis: as we face a complex matrix of pressing realities, philosophy provides a vital framework for understanding and addressing them. It challenges us to re-examine our assumptions about many of these issues, and how we consider, discuss and solve them.
Introduction:
For some people, just the mention of philosophy will conjure up thoughts of the abstract realm of arcane debates and ancient questions pondered by bearded men standing in grand marble halls. Yet, this view overlooks the dynamic capacity of philosophy to probe the fundamental issues that shape our modern existence, and even to help us solve those issues.
Today’s episode is an interview with Professor Lisa Ellis – professor of philosophy from Otago University. As you would expect, Lisa’s work has included plenty of focus on topics such as the political philosophy of Immanual Kant, social contract theory, Thomas Hobbes’s political theory and so on. And over many years, her work has turned to contemporary and quite complex topics affecting us all today, including climate adaptation, biodiversity management, the collective ethics of flying, just transitions and much more. Her current project, “the politics of planetary boundaries,” investigates how we can make environmental policy decisions that serve our interests in flourishing now and in the future. Which of course makes sense, as these are some of the most perplexing and important questions we face.
In this conversation we explore how philosophical inquiry intersects with contemporary challenges to drive innovative and equitable solutions, making philosophy not only relevant but actually indispensable in our quest for a more sustainable future.
Some of Lisa’s recent work:
- NZ Herald, on anti-natalism
- Guardian, on emissions reduction, Newsroom
- “Playing chicken with the government”
- Stuff, “Beach Road”; Stuff,
- “Climate Myths Debunked”
- Research seminar, ‘Maximum Scholarly Value for Minimal Harm: Practical Climate Ethics for Academics‘ (recording here)
- Deep South webinar on adaptation
- 95bfm on climate cooperation
- Dialogues podcast from Snodger Media
- Radio New Zealand, “Sea-Level Rise Threat”
- Lisa talks to Jesse Mulligan on RNZ Afternoons
- “The Promises and Pitfalls of Carbon Taxation” (2020)
