The Ethics of Beauty, Power & Shame

THE ETHICS OF BEAUTY 

Psychological studies continually observe a ‘halo effect’ around beautiful people and things that see us interpret them in a more favourable light, leading them to be paid higher wages and receive better loans than their less attractive peers. But are looks and morality somehow related? 

Certainly, for the ancient philosophers, beauty was a supreme value, in line with goodness and truth. But what does this mean for us today?  

Join philosopher Dr Sam Shpall and award-winning author and advocate Tara Rae Moss to step through the mirror and examine what makes someone (or something) beautiful and how this impacts all our lives. Are there ‘unfair’ advantages to being beautiful? Does beauty corrupt? Is a good life impacted by your ability to be beautiful or attain beauty? Does beauty make us happy? And who decides what is beautiful and what is not?  

THE ETHICS OF POWER 

They say power corrupts. But does that mean power is always bad? Can it be wielded for good?  

Ethics is in constant tension with power. Many who know what is right lack the power to act on it, and many with power can simply flout what is right.  

Host Dr Gwilym David Blunt, a Fellow of The Ethics Centre, will take you on an interactive journey to understand the dynamics of power and examine how it can be wielded in daily life. If you were offered power what would you do with it? Do the powerful have extra ethical responsibilities? If so, how do we hold them to account? 

THE ETHICS OF SHAME 

Shame is something we have all experienced at some point. Of all the moral emotions, it can be the most destructive to a healthy sense of self.

But what is shame? Could it ever serve a useful purpose? Do we ever deserve to feel shame? Do we have a right to shame others? What about feeling shame without feeling guilt, or without being guilty? When does being shamed go too far?

The Ethics Centre’s Senior Philosopher Dr Tim Dean will delve deep into why we feel shame and what role it has in our ethical world. He will be joined by special guest, broadcaster and creative entrepreneur Libbi Gorr – to reflect on having the “dubious honour of being cancelled before cancelling was invented”.

IN PERSON TICKETS HAVE NOW SOLD OUT. ONLY LIVESTREAM TICKETS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

About The Ethics Of

‘The Ethics of…’ is an event series where we freely examine the experiences, hopes and challenges that make us truly human; from the good to the bad and everything in between. Each event is an intimate conversation, led by a philosopher, with opportunities for the audience to share their experiences, views and learn from each other. Join us for this important and interactive event, held both in person and livestreamed, about the ways we connect with each other.

IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAM 

Limited seats in person 
The Ethics Centre 
Level 1, 161 Castlereagh St 
Sydney, 2000 
Event live stream will be available to watch on demand for up to 14 days post-event.  


PRICE 
TICKETS 
$14 Livestream 
$39 In person 
$35 Senior/concession
$25 Youth (30 and under) 

Multipacks available: 
$99 for 3 in person 
$60 for 3 Youth tickets
$33 for 3 livestream

Free livestream tickets for members 
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