Humanity has demonstrated, time and again, a horrific tendency to destroy its own kind – often to eliminate difference and impose uniformity of identity. At its worst, this tendency has led to the destruction of whole peoples – the crime against humanity of genocide.

However, in our politically charged climate, the term genocide carries a massive moral weight, and we must be cautious about where to apply it. If we're too restrictive, it will make us blind to evil in the world. But if we're too loose, it will desensitise us to its significance.

Philosophers Stan Grant and Simon Longstaff explore what genocide is, and respond to its presence in the world.

Stan Grant is Distinguished Professor and Chair of Yindyamarra Nguluway Trust at Charles Sturt University. He has a Doctorate of Theology and was formerly ABC's Global Affairs and Indigenous Affairs Analyst and host of news program Q+A. He is one of Australia's most respected and awarded journalists, with more than 40 years experience in radio and television news and current affairs.

Simon Longstaff commenced his work as the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre in 1991. He began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for "distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy." Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute.