Sydney Policy Lab welcomes inaugural Philosopher-in-Residence
Associate Professor Luara Ferracioli
Philosophers and policymakers are often searching for answers to the same questions.
What does justice require in early childhood education and care? How should governments respond to addiction during pregnancy? Is there a human right to start a family?
The Sydney Policy Lab’s first Philosopher-in-Residence, Associate Professor Luara Ferracioli, points to these questions from her own work to show how philosophy goes to the heart of wicked policy problems.
Public philosophy tackling public policy
“I think political philosophy has a very important role to play when it comes to public policy,” she said.
Political philosophers are concerned with the question of how to best distribute the benefits and burdens of social cooperation. We are in the business of questioning problematic norms, assumptions, and attitudes that are often taken for granted.
As Philosopher-in-Residence for the next year, Associate Professor Ferracioli will contribute to the Sydney Policy Lab’s range of research and policy projects.
“Luara is already a valued member of the Lab community. We’re thrilled to have her on board as Philosopher-in-Residence,” said Lab Director Dr Kate Harrison Brennan.
“The Lab helps policymakers to see that the University’s multidisciplinary expertise is here to help them solve complex, ethically-charged problems,” said Harrison Brennan.
“Showing them how to think a little less expediently and a little more wisely is part of that work.”
Thinking about our values
Political philosophy is no longer conducted in quiet offices at the pace of journal publication.
Since moving from Amsterdam to the University of Sydney in 2017, Associate Professor Ferracioli has been a regular in the media, applying an ethical lens to issues from the housing crisis and paid parental leave to immigration and effective disagreement.
Her recent books on “Parenting and the Goods of Childhood” and “Liberal Self-Determination in a World of Migration” reflect her focus on the biggest debates being had in society.
Whether working in an academic or media context, focusing on values is central.
“Political philosophers are interested in what we value as a society, why we value what we value, and what we should do when we disagree about what is valuable,” Associate Professor Ferracioli says.
Ignoring the questions of values doesn’t just mean missing out on the benefits of great policy – it comes with serious risk.
“When we engage in policymaking without paying attention to questions of value, we risk doing what is politically expedient, or popular, or comfortable, as opposed to what justice require of us.”
