Person exhaling smoke in front of a brick wall, with text overlay. Focus on modern masculinity and ethical behavior.
SERIES

THE ETHICS OF... Conversation

DATE & TIME

WED 11 MARCH 2026
6:30pm – 7:45pm AEDT

LOCATION

IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAM
The Ethics Centre
Level 1, 161 Castlereagh St
Sydney, 2000

PRICE

BUY TICKETS
General Admission $39
Concession/Seniors $35
Youth $25
Livestream $14
In Person Multipack $99
Livestream Multipack $33

 

Free digital tickets for members
Become a member today 

From the recent social media laws for under-16s, to prohibiting books, behaviours and beliefs – bans have become a prominent feature of our contemporary life. 

While framed as providing safety, moral clarity and protection, bans almost always come at a cost.  So, when is banning ethical and when does it simply make us feel righteous?

In The Ethics of Bans, Philosopher in Residence and Manos Chair in Ethics Dr Tim Dean and a special guest will explore the ethics of prohibition across public policy, culture and everyday life. 

When are bans justified? What responsibilities come with enforcing them? And how do bans reshape trust, freedom and belonging in society? 

Join us for a thoughtful conversation about the moral limits of control and the consequences of drawing hard lines. 

This event is part of ‘The Ethics of…’ trilogy which includes The Ethics of Surrender  and The Ethics of Forgiveness. Save with a Multipack and see all three events: $99 in person or $33 livestream.

Live stream ticket holders will be able to watch on demand for up to 14 days post-event.

About 'The Ethics Of...'

‘The Ethics of…’ is an event series where we freely examine the experiences, hopes and challenges that make us truly human; from the good to the bad and everything in between. Each event is an intimate conversation, led by a philosopher, with opportunities for the audience to share their experiences, views and learn from each other. Join us for this important and interactive event, held both in person and livestreamed, about the ways we connect with each other.

Speakers

Dr Tim Dean's portrait. A man with salt and pepper beard, wearing a light blue blazer and a white shirt, against a black background.

Dr Tim Dean

Tim is The Ethics Centre’s Philosopher in Residence, and he holds the Manos Chair in Ethics. He is a public philosopher, speaker and writer, with a Doctorate in philosophy from the University of New South Wales on the evolution of morality, and specialises in public philosophy, ethics and critical thinking. He is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney and the author of How We Became Human. He is the recipient of the Australasian Association of Philosophy Media Professionals’ Award for his work on philosophy in the public sphere. 

Things to think about

Three young women connect, one using a flip phone. Posters decorate the wall. The right to connect empowers youth through technology.

The right to connect

A child expressing the need to protest. Kid with fist raised, shouting, wearing a Four Nado shirt. Teaching kids to protest for a better future.

Why we should be teaching our kids to protest