When You're Overwhelmed by the World - A Conversation on Ethics with Dr Simon Longstaff

How do you engage with big issues like AI and climate change when you're just trying to keep everyone fed and functional? In this conversation with philosopher Dr. Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, I got answers that actually helped.

Simon makes ethics accessible and practical. He gave me permission to let go of trying to be ethically perfect (spoiler: it's impossible) and reminded me that small gestures - falling "just a little bit on the right side" over and over - can shift the world on its axis.

We talked about navigating "right vs right" dilemmas, what makes us distinctively human that AI can't replace, what skills our kids actually need, and why breaking patterns of "unthinking custom and practice" matters more than we realise. You're going to love this conversation.

Key Quotes:

"The real threat to us engaging in the world is not that we are powerless, but rather that we believe ourselves to be."

"Ethical perfection is not possible. Therefore you are liberated in some sense from thinking that that's what's required of you."

"Your heroism doesn't need to amount to the lofty gesture, but it can be in that area of just falling on the right side."

"Demand and offer the best reasons. Never accept things simply because everyone's doing it or it's always been done that way."

Resources Mentioned:

• The Ethics Centre
• Festival of Dangerous Ideas 

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