Zac Alstin

Despite enjoying his four years of philosophical education, Zac Alstin emerged from the post-modern wilderness to discover with surprise and delight the actual existence of such things as truth, goodness, and reality. He now works part time in Aged Care Research, where he may, despite his philosophical education, actually contribute to the well-being of someone, somewhere. So as not to become excessively practical, he has recently pledged himself to the significant undertaking of a PhD in Philosophy of Religion.

In the meantime, he continues to draw inspiration from ancient Chinese philosophers, and look for excuses to quote them. “I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.” - Confucius, The Analects. VII.19”

Necessary excuses

23 May 2013 |

tags: ethics, ethics of warfare

“Comfort women”, carpet bombing, atom bombs, lethal drones and genocide can all be justified by appeals to necessity.

The genius of Chesterton

8 Jan 2013 |

tags: biography, book reviews

A comprehensive new biography of the brilliant controversialist will delight fans and instruct the sceptical.

The cycle of fallen heroes

6 Nov 2012 |

tags: heroes, Lance Armstrong

Like Hercules, Lance Armstrong was a hero, and like the Greek demi-god, he lacked important virtues.

Misogyny for the politically disenchanted

2 Nov 2012 |

tags: Australia, feminism, misogyny, rhetoric

The Australian Prime Minister became an internet sensation after she denounced the misogyny of the Opposition Leader in Parliament. But does the word mean anything any more?

Homophobia: what does it really mean?

28 Sep 2012 |

tags: homophobia, homosexuality

In discussing same-sex issues, let's scrap the labels and return to facts.

Debunking the myth of the self-made man

21 Aug 2012 |

tags: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, individualism

There was at least a smidgen of truth in President Obama's insistence that "you didn't build that".

This is not an article

16 Jul 2012 |

tags: art, internet, philosophy

The surrealist painter Henri Magritte anticipated our immersion in the unreal world of the internet.

The bald truth about p*rn

29 Jun 2012 |

tags: philosophy, pornography

Any idiot will tell you that sex sells, but it takes a philosopher to suggest that sex might sophisticate.

Who dares attack my Chesterton?

1 Jun 2012 |

tags: Christopher Hitchens, G.K. Chesterton, Nazism

Christopher Hitchens' last piece of journalism was a all-out attack on another great journalist, G.K. Chesterton. He came off second best.

It’s only natural

22 May 2012 |

tags: morality, natural law, same-sex marriage

The bitterest debates today in the public square often turn on what is "natural". The Chinese sages had a lot to say about this.

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