Moral Philosophy & Ethics Education (MPEE)
The Moral Philosophy & Ethics Education (MPEE) research focus area fosters collaborative research on cultivating good character, with a distinctive focus on the moral psychology of the virtues and vices.
Our research has both a theoretical and a practical dimension. We’re interested in better understanding specific moral, epistemic and civic virtues and vices, and we’re interested in exploring practical strategies for cultivating the development of virtuous character in different educational and social contexts.
We conduct research that makes a valuable contribution to the teaching and research life of Notre Dame Australia, and that can form the basis of research partnerships with groups external to the University.
Researchers
- Professor John Lippitt (IES Director, Professor of Philosophy)
- Tim Smartt (Co-convenor MPEE, Lecturer)
- Associate Professor David Bronstein (Co-convenor MPEE, Senior Research Fellow)
- Dr Adam Piovarchy (Research Fellow)
- Dr Annette Pierdziwol (Office of Pro Vice Chancellor Research)
- Professor Renée Köhler-Ryan (Professor of Philosophy and Head of School of Philosophy & Theology)
- Professor Charles Stephen Evans (Professional Research Fellow)
International Visiting Scholars
Highlights
PHD Scholarship in Ancient Philosophy, Virtue Ethics, or Virtue Epistemology
We are seeking applications from highly motivated candidates interested in pursuing a PhD under the supervision of Associate Professor David Bronstein, a Senior Research Fellow in the Institute for Ethics and Society (IES). The scholarship is funded by Assoc Prof Bronstein’s Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship project entitled ‘Virtue with Aristotle: Recovering an Ancient Ethical Theory for Our Time’ (FT220100615). Associate Professor Bronstein, an expert in Ancient Greek philosophy, is a member of the IES’ Moral Philosophy and Ethics Education research focus area.
The scholarship is $30,000 per annum, tax-free for three years, commencing in Semester 2, 2023 or Semester 1, 2024. Applications are sought in any of the project’s main research areas: Ancient Greek and/or Roman philosophy, especially ethics; contemporary virtue ethics; or contemporary virtue epistemology.
Please see the attached document for further details.
2022 Putting Accountability at work: How Accountability contributes to human flourishing
There is a great deal of talk about accountability in the contemporary world, but usually in the sense of holding someone accountable for bad behaviour through punishment or sanctions. However, those who embrace and welcome being accountable exhibit a virtue, an excellent and admirable quality that enhances human life in many ways. Though there has been little discussion of this, the evidence lies in plain sight in many areas: the business world, healthy churches with small group programs, 12-step groups, and even the criminal justice system. This public lecture explored some of the ways accountability as a virtue contributes to human flourishing.
2022 Professorial Research Fellow C. Stephen Evans Events
The IES was thrilled to host Professorial Research Fellow C. Stephen Evans who presented at a number of events throughout October and November 2022. These included the Notre Dame School for Virtue and Character, The 2022 Moral Philosophy & Ethics Education Annual Public Lecture on how accountability contributes to human flourishing, and a week-long Masterclass in Moral Philosophy on 'Accountability as a Virtue'.
2022 Notre Dame School of Virtue and Character (Good Feelings: Virtues, Vices & the Emotions)
Held over two weeks, the third NDSVC allowed selected participants to engage with new research on the topic of cultivating good character. NDSVC featured six keynote sessions, each running for 1.5 hours. The sessions were structured around a pre-read paper and provided participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers in a rigorous but friendly discussion of their work.
2022 Living Accountably Masterclass in Moral Philosophy
This class discussed readings from Professor Evans’ forthcoming monograph Living Accountably: Accountability as a Virtue (Oxford University Press). Over the course of four days, the class explored the nature of accountability as a virtue, as well as some of the ways in which its cultivation can positively impact society.
2021 Notre Dame School of Virtue and Character
Held over two weeks in November and December, the 2021 Notre Dame School of Virtue & Character allowed selected participants to engage with new research on the topic of cultivating good character from five leading researchers. The 2021 NDSVC focussed on the theme of The Virtues and Vices of Moral Criticism.
Industry-Funded Research Project
In 2021 MPEE worked with The Scots College to translate insights from moral philosophy into a high school education context. The $20,000 research project is titled “Developing Virtuous Character in Educational Institutions” and is led by Co-PIs Dr Annette Pierdziwol, Tim Smartt, and Professor John Lippitt.
2020 Notre Dame School of Virtue and Character
Held over two weeks in September and October, the 2020 Notre Dame School of Virtue and Character provides a forum to deeply engage with new research on the topic of cultivating good character from six leading researchers. Read about the 2020 Notre Dame School of Virtue & Character.
Book Publication
Love’s Forgiveness by John Lippitt was published by Oxford University Press in 2020.
Screening Virtue: The Importance of Character(s) in Film and Television
Dr Sylvie Magerstädt and IES Director Professor John Lippitt are collaborating on a new research project aimed at enriching our understanding of character and virtues on screen. Funded by Notre Dame’s Research Grant Scheme, it will involve journal articles, a podcast series and a workshop in winter 2021.
International Collaboration: Philosophy as a Way of Life
From 2019-2021 Tim Smartt is a network member of the AU$1.3m Mellon “Philosophy as a Way of Life” project at the University of Notre Dame (USA).
Masterclass in Moral Philosophy
“Becoming Virtuous: A One Week Masterclass in the Philosophy of Character” was instructed by Visiting Professor Christian B. Miller (Wake Forest University).
International Collaboration: Virtue, Happiness & the Meaning of Life
The IES was a partner institute on $2.2m Templeton Project “Virtue, Happiness & the Meaning of Life” at the University of Chicago (2017 – 2018).
Professional Ethics Consulting
We provide Professional Ethics Training Packages to support organisations to effectively address ethical issues and build robust ethical cultures.
Industry and Public Engagement
Master of Bioethics Program
We’re delighted to partner with colleagues across NDA to contribute to the new Master of Bioethics Program (School of Medicine).
Does Character Education Rest on a Mistake?
Keynote talk from Visiting Professor John Haldane (Baylor/St Andrews) at the Character Education and Social Leadership Conference . In partnership with the Scots College.
The Ethics of Policing
IES Director Professor John Lippitt discusses his work with the Hertfordshire Police.
Dread, time and the pandemic
IES Director Professor John Lippitt writes on Kierkegaard and COVID-19 for the UK’s Standpoint magazine.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Conspiracy Theorists
IES Research Associate Tim Smartt has an opinion piece at ABC Religion & Ethics exploring the ethics and epistemology of conspiracy theories about the 2020 bushfires in California and Australia. Coauthored with Professor Mark Colyvan (University of Sydney) and Assistant Professor Hannah Tierney (University of California, Davis).
How Character Matters for Leadership
IES Assistant Director Dr Annette Pierdziwol appeared on ABC Radio National’s God Forbid to discuss the connections between good character and good leadership.
Government Must Consider Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination
Tim Smartt wrote an opinion piece for the Sydney Morning Herald (August 10, 2020) considering the ethical case for a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, once a safe and effective vaccine is available. The article also appeared in The Age, Brisbane Times, and WA Today.
What Does it Mean to Be 'Good'?
Professor Christian B. Miller (Wake Forest University) appeared on the ABC’s The Minefield podcast with Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens during his time as a Visiting Professor at the IES.
Why Teach Ethics in Schools?
IES QndA in Fremantle featuring Visiting Professor John Haldane, IES Adjunct Laura D’Olimpio (Birmingham) and Founding Director Sandra Lynch.
On the Role of Universities
Professor Renee Kohler Ryan writes on Western Civilization and the purpose of Universities for ABC Religion & Ethics.
Our Researchers' Grants and Institutional Partnerships
- Industry Research Grant, The Scots College, 2020 -- 2021, $20,000. "Developing Virtuous Character in Educational Institutions" (Co-PIs: Dr Annette Pierdziwol, Tim Smartt, and Professor John Lippitt)
- Leverhulme Trust, Major Research Fellowship on “Love’s Forgiveness”, 2018–2020 ($174,945)
- Network member, AU$1.3m Mellon “Philosophy as a Way of Life” project at the University of Notre Dame (USA)
- Australian Research Theology Foundation, 2018 – 2019
- Fulbright Specialist Program (Grant FSP-P000163), 2017. For more information, please see “Community in the Classroom” in the November 2017 edition of the Fulbright publication Hearts and Minds (p. 46 – 47)
- Partner on $2.2m John Templeton Foundation Project “Virtue, Happiness, & the Meaning of Life” at the University of Chicago, 2017 - 2018
- Mary Philippa Brazill Foundation, 2016
Events
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2022
- 2022 Putting Accountability at work: How Accountability contributes to human flourishing, Thursday 3 November. There is a great deal of talk about accountability in the contemporary world, but usually in the sense of holding someone accountable for bad behaviour through punishment or sanctions. However, those who embrace and welcome being accountable exhibit a virtue, an excellent and admirable quality that enhances human life in many ways. Though there has been little discussion of this, the evidence lies in plain sight in many areas: the business world, healthy churches with small group programs, 12-step groups, and even the criminal justice system. This public lecture will explore some of the ways accountability as a virtue contributes to human flourishing.
- 2022 Professorial Research Fellow C. Stephen Evans Events, October - November 2022. The IES is thrilled to host Professorial Research Fellow C. Stephen Evans who will be presenting at a number of events throughout October and November. These include the Notre Dame School for Virtue and Character, The 2022 Moral Philosophy & Ethics Education Annual Public Lecture on how accountability contributes to human flourishing, and a week-long Masterclass in Moral Philosophy on 'Accountability as a Virtue'.
- 2022 Notre Dame School of Virtue and Character (Good Feelings: Virtues, Vices & the Emotions), 4-13 October 2022. Held over two weeks, the third NDSVC allows selected participants to engage with new research on the topic of cultivating good character. NDSVC features six keynote sessions, each running for 1.5 hours. The sessions are structured around a pre-read paper and provide participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers in a rigorous but friendly discussion of their work.
- 2022 Living Accountably Masterclass in Moral Philosophy, 7-10 November 2022. Keynote Speaker: Professor C. Stephen Evans. This class will primarily consist in discussing readings from Professor Evans’ forthcoming monograph Living Accountably: Accountability as a Virtue (Oxford University Press).
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2021
- 2021 Notre Dame School of Virtue & Character, 23 November - 2 December 2021. Keynote speakers: Daniel Hutto (University of Wollongong), Michael Lynch (University of Connecticut), Linda Radzik (Texas A&M University), Robin Zheng(Yale-NUS College), and John Lippitt (IES).
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2020
- 2020 Notre Dame School of Virtue & Character, 29 September – 8 October 2020. Keynote speakers: C. Stephen Evans (Baylor University), Heather Battaly (University of Connecticut), Christian B. Miller (Wake Forest University), Michael Lamb (Wake Forest University), Anne Snyder (Comment Magazine), and John Lippitt (IES).
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2019
- Becoming Virtuous: A One Week Masterclass in the Philosophy of Character, instructed by Professor Christian B. Miller (Wake Forest University). 3-7 June 2019.
- 2019 Moral Philosophy & Ethics Education Annual Lecture, delivered by Professor Christian B. Miller(Wake Forest University). “Falling Short and Becoming a Better Person: Lessons from Psychology, Philosophy, and Christianity.” 5 June 2019.
- Academic Symposium: Emotion, Virtue, and Public Life. Keynote addresses from Professor John Milbankand Associate Professor Alison Milbank (University of Nottingham). 18 January 2019.
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2018
- Inaugural Moral Philosophy and Ethics Education lecture, delivered by Professor John Haldane with response from Professor Sandra Lynch. “Can We Measure Virtue? Character and Moral Evaluation”. 18 July, 2018.
- The Character Education and Social Leadership Conference. Keynote address by Professor John Haldane (University of St. Andrews). In partnership with The Scots College. 3 August 2018. Video.
- Academic Symposium: Public Reason, Political Psychology and Good Disagreement. Keynote address from Professor John Haldane (University of St. Andrews). 18 July 2018.
- Book Launch: Media and Moral Education (Routledge) by Dr Laura D’Olimpio. Guest speaker: Scott Stephens (Editor of ABC Religion & Ethics). 5 June 2018.
- Moral Philosophy & Ethics Education Research Seminar. Semester One 2018, Semester Two 2018
Postgraduate Research
We welcome inquiries regarding postgraduate supervision from prospective M.Phil or PhD students interested in working within the IES’s Moral Philosophy and Ethics Education research focus area.
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Professor John Lippitt
Professor John Lippitt welcomes research students in the following areas:
- Kierkegaard
- Ethics and Moral Psychology (especially virtues and vices)
- Forgiveness
- Religion and Modern Thought
- Philosophy of Love and Friendship
- Philosophy of Education (especially the role of virtues in higher education)
- Ethical Issues in Policing
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Dr Annette Pierdziwol
Dr Annette Pierdziwol welcomes research students in the following areas:
- Moral philosophy (ethics) and moral psychology and their intersection with social and political philosophy: topics including moral cultivation, character, virtue, emotion, motivation, empathy, compassion, altruism, habit and practice
- Early modern philosophy: seventeenth-century and eighteenth-century moral philosophy, accounts of the passions, Hume, Bishop Butler, Rousseau
- Ethics education: philosophy of moral education and ethics education for the professions
- Continental philosophy: responsibility, conscience, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Levinas, continental philosophy of religion and philosophical theology
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