Simon Longstaff
Philosopher | Executive Director of The Ethics Centre
Interviewer: Courtney Boag
Cinematography: Stéphanie Austruy
1 October, 2024
“I believe that the unexamined life is a life not worth living for a human...I believe that the choices you make don’t have to be heroic at the scale of Mandela or Ghani, but that falling a little bit on the right side of every question is all that’s required.”
Simon Longstaff
Dr Simon Longstaff is the Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, a leading independent non-profit organisation based in Sydney, Australia, dedicated to promoting ethics in public and professional life. With a distinguished career spanning decades, Simon is widely recognised for his expertise in applied ethics, philosophy, and leadership. He holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge, where he studied as a member of Magdalene College, focusing on the intersection of ethics and political philosophy.
Simon’s work has profoundly shaped the discourse on ethical decision-making in business, government, and civil society. As a sought-after speaker and advisor, he has collaborated with numerous organisations to help embed ethical principles into their operations. Under his leadership, The Ethics Centre has pioneered innovative programs such as the Ethics Alliance, Ethics Explored series, and public debates on critical contemporary issues.
A member of the Order of Australia (OA), Dr Longstaff has contributed to diverse fields, including governance, technology, and education. He serves on multiple advisory boards and commissions and has written extensively on ethics, including books, articles, and thought leadership pieces that challenge and inspire audiences to consider the moral dimensions of their actions. Simon’s vision emphasises the role of ethics as a vital tool for fostering trust, resilience, and better decision-making in an increasingly complex world.
Interested to learn more about Simon’s work at The Ethics Centre? Follow the centre’s work here.
Read some of Simon’s latest articles here.
check out The Festival of Dangerous Ideas held annually by The Ethics Centre in Sydney.
Also, make use of The Ethics Centre’s Ethi-Call service which provides free and independent advice on lifes complex and ethical questions. Whether you’re struggling to make a big life decision or if you just need someone to bounce ideas off, this service offers true value.
Follow Cate via Linkedin @simonlongstaff and X @simonlongstaff
Read some of Simon’s latest articles here.
check out The Festival of Dangerous Ideas held annually by The Ethics Centre in Sydney.
Also, make use of The Ethics Centre’s Ethi-Call service which provides free and independent advice on lifes complex and ethical questions. Whether you’re struggling to make a big life decision or if you just need someone to bounce ideas off, this service offers true value.
Follow Cate via Linkedin @simonlongstaff and X @simonlongstaff