Journalist Stan Grant will deliver the Australian Catholic University's 2025 Simone Weil Lecture in Human Value.
The Wiradjuri man, whose career spans more than 30 years in broadcast radio, television news, and current affairs, will present the annual lecture series—now in its 25th year—in Brisbane and Melbourne this August.
Hosted by ACU's School of Philosophy, the lecture honours Simone Weil, one of the twentieth century's most influential thinkers. This year's series is inspired by her essay Human Personality, written during the final year of her life.
Professor Grant, who has long drawn inspiration from Weil, described her as his "lodestar".
"She warms my soul and fires my mind," he said. "More than any other thinker it is to her I turn to weigh the truth."
Drawing on Human Personality, Professor Grant will explore the rise of populism and the dehumanising impact of technology. His first lecture, in Brisbane on August 12, will address how today's political climate is limiting free expression.
His second lecture, in Melbourne on August 20, will examine how we might reclaim a higher sense of shared humanity, as well as the role of faith.
"Language is our enemy: identity, history, rights, democracy, we brandish these words as weapons and lay claim to morality that diminishes the human soul," Professor Grant said.
"Simone Weil inspires me to reach for more dangerous words like love and God, words only the afflicted truly know."
Professor Richard Colledge, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, said the lecture offers scholars of international standing an opportunity to explore issues of human dignity and public ethics.
"Since 2000, the Simone Weil Lecture series has captivated long-standing and new admirers to the rich philosophical contributions of this phenomenal young French activist," Professor Colledge said.
"This year we welcome Professor Stan Grant to deliver the lecture, who shares Weil's commitment to advancing and understanding the human person's need for belonging and purpose."
More information, including full details of the lectures in Brisbane and Melbourne, is available via the Simone Weil Lecture page on the ACU website.
