Biodiversity and triage: making tough conservation decisions

We are in the midst of one of the largest mass extinction events in Earth's history. Many species have little chance of survival and for many others, their fate depends on conservation management strategies. Sadly, it is not possible to save all the threatened species. This has led some conservation biologists to argue for environmental triage. This is the prioritisation of conservation efforts according to expected outcomes.

In this Barry Taylor and David Lewis Philosophy Lecture, Professor Mark Colyvan will give a qualified defence of environmental triage, outlining its theoretical underpinnings, highlighting its limitations, and discussing ethical implications.

About the speaker

Professor Mark Colyvan is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sydney, Honorary Professor at The Australian National University, and Visiting Professor at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy at the Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich. He has published extensively in philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of logic, decision theory, environmental philosophy, ecology, and conservation biology. He is a past president of the Society for Risk Analysis (Australia and New Zealand), and a past president of the Australasian Association of Philosophy. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his research, including an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and a lifetime achievement award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

About the Barry Taylor and David Lewis Philosophy Fund

The Barry Taylor and David Lewis Philosophy Fund was established in memory of Melbourne Associate Professor Barry Taylor and Princeton Professor David Lewis. One of the most influential metaphysicians of the 20th century, David Lewis was a regular visitor in the philosophy program at The University of Melbourne and a valued contributor to its intellectual life for over twenty years. Barry Taylor was a distinguished philosopher of language who used linguistic and epistemological tools to argue against Lewisian-style metaphysical realism. Their strong friendship and philosophical disagreements enlivened the work of both. The Barry Taylor and David Lewis Philosophy Fund provides broad based support for the philosophy program at the University of Melbourne, including funding for the annual Barry Taylor and David Lewis Philosophy Lecture.

Pre-event Reception

Please join us for light refreshments from 6:15pm outside the Forum Theatre before the lecture starts.

Enquiries

Please send your enquiries to arts-engage@unimelb.edu.au

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