University of Melbourne Secular Society [UMSS]

The University of Melbourne Secular Society is proud to be presenting four renowned speakers from different backgrounds and perspectives to address the philosophical problem of evil, suffering and free will in a public forum on campus on Tuesday 15th September.

Forum details:
1 – 2 PM
Copland Theatre, Economics & Commerce Building
University of Melbourne
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Afternoon tea + further QnA:
2 – 3 PM
Joe Napolitano
2nd Floor, Union House
University of Melbourne
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The MC for the event will be Catherine McDonald (co-founder & convener of Melbourne’s Philosophy Cafe)

PANELISTS BIOS:

Rev. Dr Peter Adam is the principal of Ridley Theological College. He was trained for the ministry at Ridley, and ordained in Melbourne. He has studied in England and lectured at St John’s College, Durham, and was minister of St Jude’s Carlton in Melbourne for 20 years. He is a Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne. Recently Rev. Adam received widespread media coverage surrounding his comments on Indigenous Australian’s and restitution, see “Get out or pay up, says reverend” (The Age, 11/08/09)

Dr Russell Blackford holds a PhD in English literature from the University of Newcastle, and a PhD in Philosophy from Monash University where he teaches in the School of Philosophy and Bioethics. Dr Blackford serves as editor-in-chief of the IEET’s Journal of Evolution and Technology. He writes frequently on issues related to emerging technology, including the ethics and regulation of cloning, stem cell research, and human enhancement. His work has appeared in many magazines and journals, including Australian Law Review, Cosmos, Foundation, Journal of Law and Medicine, Journal of Popular Culture and Journal of Medical Ethics. Dr Blackford blogs at Metamagician and the Hellfire Club. Dr Blackford is the co-editor of the forthcoming book 50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists, a collection of essays from prominent atheists.

Barney Zwartz has been the religion editor for The Age newspaper since late 2002. He has broad experience in both reporting and senior production roles having previously worked as a special projects editor, chief sub editor, letters editor and opinion editor. He regularly speaks on religious issues, and has addressed national conferences of Christians, Jews and interfaith groups. In 2004, the Melbourne-based Muslim interfaith group, the Australian Intercultural Society, presented him with a peace award. He has a theology degree from the Australian College of Theology and is part-way towards a PhD in moral philosophy. He has tutored in philosophy and ethics at the University of Melbourne, and lectured at a Melbourne theological college.

Lyn Allison was a member of the Australian Senate from 1996 to 2008, representing the state of Victoria and was the last federal parliamentary leader of the Australian Democrats. During her time in the Senate she established a reputation as a strong advocate of church state separation, federal government funding for public schools and nuclear disarmament. Allison was awarded Australian Humanist of the Year in 2008 by the Council of Australian Humanist Societies. She currently serves as President of Dying With Dignity Victoria, which lobbies for reform of euthanasia laws, and is also a committee member of the Rationalist Society of Australia. Allison is an atheist who spoke for the affirmative in a 2008 Australian Radio National debate “Would We Be Better Off Without Religion?”