page_title: Max Charlesworth
section_title: Philosophy
hierarchical_section_title: Max Charlesworth / Philosophy
caption_attribution_description: English: MJC giving lecture
context_page_description: Maxwell John Charlesworth AO FAHA was an Australian philosopher and public intellectual. He taught and wrote on a wide range of areas including the philosophy of religion and the role of the Church in a liberal democratic society, Australian Aboriginal culture and religions, European philosophy from medieval to continental, bioethics and modern science’s role in society, as well as the philosophy of education. In 1990, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his contributions to Australian society in the fields of education and bioethics.
  Charlesworth has been described as 'exceptional among Australian philosophers for his integrity, for his capacity to change and develop as the balance of evidence shifted, and for his willingness to pioneer new developments.'
context_section_description: Charlesworth was classically trained in philosophy, but his approach to its practice was unusual for the time in Australia. He emphasised the importance of philosophical engagement in current social dilemmas and presentation of philosophical ideas accessibly.
  Charlesworth had a pluralistic approach to both philosophy and religion, which shaped his ideas on life in liberal democratic societies. This pluralism prompted Charlesworth to work on a wide range of topics. As he grew older he became less inclined to study concepts themselves and more inclined to study how knowledge is constructed and by whom.
caption: Charlesworth delivering his ‘Liberal Education and Religious Values’ lecture at Monash University's Religious Centre to mark the beginning of the Academic Year, 5 March 1981.
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