Paul Komesaroff

Paul Komesaroff is Professor of Medicine at Monash University and Executive Director of the international NGO Global Reconciliation. His books include Experiments in Love and Death and Riding a Crocodile: A physician’s tale.

Paul's recent articles

Is it possible to have an ethical conversation about the Middle East?

Is it possible to have an ethical conversation about the Middle East?

For those living far away from the Middle East – for example, in countries like Australia – it seems that everyone has a strong view about the events occurring there. What’s more, everyone is convinced their view is the morally correct one. In all discussions, ethical-sounding language abounds: depending on the perspective, we might hear references to “human rights”, “freedom”, “self-defence”, “security”, “terrorism”, “war crimes”, “humanitarian aid”, “human shields”, or even “genocide”.

There are no valid ethical arguments in support of attacks on health facilities in Gaza

There are no valid ethical arguments in support of attacks on health facilities in Gaza

The conflict in Gaza has generated vigorous discussion about the assumed ethical prohibition against attacks on health facilities in times of war and the circumstances in which this prohibition might be validly circumvented.

The Voice debate is about more than who wins: this is a battle for fundamental values

The Voice debate is about more than who wins: this is a battle for fundamental values

We need to return to respectful dialogue. We are facing a critical test of Australian democracy and the resilience of the peaceful infrastructure of the public sphere and civil society.

Why a First Nations Voice should come first

Why a First Nations Voice should come first

Since the advent of European colonisation, the absence of an effective process for conducting dialogues between the broader community and First Nations people has been a festering sore at the heart of Australian society.

Paul Komesaroff, Michael Komesaroff and Roger Mendelson: Australias response to the Ukraine crisis is a missed opportunity

Paul Komesaroff, Michael Komesaroff and Roger Mendelson: Australias response to the Ukraine crisis is a missed opportunity

Not only did diplomacy fail spectacularly but the responses of governments around the world was, perversely, to turn away from the search for a solution and instead to engage, unintentionally or otherwise, in deliberate and sustained actions to inflame the conflict further.

Omicron wave has exposed the battle lines of a new 'ethics' war

Omicron wave has exposed the battle lines of a new 'ethics' war

From my Omicron sickbed, I am watching my healthcare colleagues deal with a true disaster, writes Paul Komesaroff.

There is a conspiracy about the origins of COVID-19. But it has nothing to do with Chinas secrecy

The WHO report into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, released on March 30, supported what the scientists have long known: that the SARS-CoV2 virus most likely originated in an animal reservoir and, after a process of mutations, in complex settings of environmental and ecological change, eventually found its way into human populations. It also raised a curious question: why, if it is clear that the origin of COVID-19 is no different to other zoonoses to have emerged in the last century, are the public debates focusing on quite different issues?

<