The stories we assume about human origins profoundly shape our modern assumptions about freedom and equality, our relationship to each other and the natural world.
Unpacking these philosophical origin stories isn’t just an exercise in history; it gives us a remarkably powerful lens for understanding the complex forces driving our contemporary political and cultural landscape.
If you’re interested in exploring how these foundational narratives continue to shape our world, I’d love to warmly invite you to join the conversation at two upcoming events, related to my new book “The State of Nature and the Shaping of Modernity” (https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/state-of-nature-and-the-shaping-of-modernity/):
Melbourne: Friday, March 20 (3–4 PM)
I’ll be speaking at the University of Melbourne (Parkville Campus) for the French Studies Seminar Series. We’ll be diving into Rousseau, Foucault, and how the state of nature functions not just as a history, but as a “regime of truth” that makes certain ideas about society seem self-evident.
More info here: https://australiansocietyforfrenchstudies.com/2026/02/16/melbourne-french-studies-seminar-series-march/
Sydney (with an online option!): Thursday, April 9 (1–4 PM)
The Centre for the History of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame Australia is hosting an “author-meets-critics” symposium on the book. Dr Sandra Field, Prof Peter Harrison, and A/Prof Jessica Whyte will be offering their reflections and critiques, and we’ll be having a thorough discussion. You can join in-person or jump in online via Microsoft Teams.
Details and registration: https://events.nd.edu.au/state-of-nature-symposium
For anyone curious to explore how our intuitions about where we came from shape our sense of who we are and where we’re going, please do come along!
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