2007 New College Lectures

Prof Oliver O'Donovan will present the New College Lectures in 2007 on the topic of 'moral wakefulness'-the mind alert to shape decisions and actions. Professor O'Donovan is one of the foremost scholars in the field of Christian ethics. He is currently Professor of Christian Ethics and Practical Theology at the University of Edinburgh School of Divinity, Scotland (since 2006). He has published 10 major works which have had a significant impact in the world of political theology and ethics.

Much has been said about the need for moral judgment, foundational values and ethical practice in business, public and personal life. Professor O'Donovan suggests that "the experience of moral wakefulness is universal, and ways of describing the experience, and the philosophical puzzles they pose, are legion". In this lecture series he will explore how we overcome the constant tensions that arise between the objective and subjective, valuing and deciding, 'good' and the 'right'? Professor O'Donovan believes that Christian faith can shed light on this commonest and yet most mysterious of human experiences. He will explore this topic in three public lectures over three nights:

Tuesday 4th September: 'Waking'
The metaphor of wakefulness is constantly drawn on in the Gospels to focus the heart of moral sensibility. How does the invocation of God serve to make the moral stance conceivable to us?
Drinks and canapés in Scientia building UNSW from 6:15 pm with lectures to follow from 7:15pm, question time and supper.

Wednesday 5th September: 'Admiring'
Moral attentiveness to the world is a task of affective intelligence, of 'admiration', not merely of 'cognition'. What kind of coherence and order do we suppose in our world and how do assertions about a 'Word of God' serve to underpin that coherence?
7:30pm Main Common Room, New College , UNSW. Question time and supper to follow the lecture.

Thursday 6th September: 'Resolving'
How can we make the transition of reason from what is the case to what we are to do? How may we intelligently 'frame' an action to perform without arbitrariness?
7:30pm Main Common Room, New College, UNSW. Question time and supper to follow the lecture.

Entrance is Free
New College is located on Anzac Pde, Kensington @ UNSW
RSVP essential for all lectures by 31st August
Phone (02) 9381 1999 or email newcollege@unsw.edu.au