AAP 2025 CONFERENCE

Check-in Desk open.

Colonialism is a thousand years old, starting from the Crusades (1100-1300) when Christian Europe tried to take the Holy Land from Muslim rule. Despite failing those wars, European colonialism came to dominate other countries further afield and has continued in different forms to the present day. 
The ancient Aboriginal system came from a long-term experiment in human order making. The activity of order-making requires elements that come under the general heading of social, political, and spiritual design. The elements are Coherence, Proportionality, and Predictability (CPP), which emerged out of the creation, life process, reflection, and development of two collective life experiences - relationalism and survivalism. Through CPP, the development of the Metaphysical Identity begins. 
Regional consensus-based decision making was based on a deliberate process of creating a collective, civilisational culture i.e., metaphysical identity, whereby members of a group begin to understand the multiplicity of beings, values, obligations and duties, particularly through the concept of beginning, that explains the existence of the universe – The Dreaming. 
All the learned requirements of maturity, of being mature adults emerge out of relationalism and reflectivity, further, we, the autonomous beings learn that land looks after us, it grows us up, we look after land, this leads to a reciprocal, relational connection underpinned by a conscience. The first instance of what an Australian metaphysical identity is and further, could be.
Being a metaphysical identity, that is, being fully, completely and reflectively human or proper humanness, is a skill that must be learned, i.e., acquiring a proficiency in being an ethical human being with a functioning conscience. The difficulty of acquiring and maintaining this skill is that it’s a choice of the autonomous being. Learning and maintaining autonomous regard and the stewardship system helps in strengthening and stabilising community.
What if Australia had its own philosophy? If Australia began exploring what its metaphysical identity could be, then, maybe, a philosophy will emerge too.
Mary Graham is a Kombumerri person (Gold Coast) through her father’s heritage and affiliated with Wakka Wakka (South Burnett) through her mother’s people.
Mary has worked across several government agencies, community organisations and universities and is a lecturer with The University of Queensland, teaching Aboriginal history, politics and comparative philosophy.  She has also lectured nationally on these subjects, and developed and implemented ‘Aboriginal Perspective’s’, ‘Aboriginal Approaches to Knowledge’ and at the post-graduation level ‘Aboriginal Politics’ into university curricula.

Morning Break

Public Panel - Philosophy in the Diaspora (Critical Thinking)
An illuminating public panel event as part of the Australasian Association of Philosophy Conference, where we explore the enduring relevance of philosophy in contemporary contexts. Philosophy in the Diaspora examines how philosophical methods and knowledge shapes and responses to urgent questions in areas as diverse as medicine, police leadership, education, and social justice.
This discussion brings together thinkers and practitioners from diverse backgrounds to unpack philosophy’s role in navigating ethical challenges, policy decisions, and societal transformations. The conversation extends beyond academic inquiry—public participation is encouraged through an interactive Q&A session, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas.
Join us as we explore how philosophy continues to move, adapt, and thrive across different landscapes. Your voice in the discussion matters. Come ready to think, challenge, and engage!
Panel
John Rolfe Head of Faculty (Graduate Programs) at the Australian Institute of Police management.
Melanie Jansen Pediatric Intensive care specialist, clinical ethicist, and poet.
Britta Jensen Director of Newington College’s Centre for Critical Thinking & Ethics.
Kaz Bland Past Co-Director of Eurekamp Oz!, Manager of the Australasian Philosothon, Leader of Constable Care Foundation School Ethics Program.
Moderator
Francis Nona
Francis Nona is a Lecturer in the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland.