The Author

Phil Roberts was born in Brisbane, Australia, and from a very early age developed a love for the arts and history. He obtained an honours degree in English language and literature at the University of Queensland and later a master’s degree in public administration. In 1971 he began a career of nearly forty years in government. Initially a librarian researching local history, he went on to positions in library management, industrial relations, policy and strategic planning. As such, he worked in a range of fields including education, family and community welfare, indigenous affairs, local government, policing and transport; he also spent two years in London. In the 1980s his literary muse arrived and he became a writer in his spare time, specialising in poetry of the spirit, love and life issues. This was to become intertwined with a growing fascination for theology and philosophy, especially moral philosophy. Phil has also been active for many years in community service, and his recreations include the arts, tennis (as a spectator), long-distance walking, and travel. He lives in Brisbane and is now a full-time writer, working towards a book on topics covered in this website.

A pioneer thinker in creativism, Phil is a practitioner of philosophy not as an academic discipline in its own right but rather as the ultimate mode of thought for resolving issues in other disciplines. He is devoted to the discovery of big ideas, the analysis of intractable problems and the creative reframing of these problems. In particular he is drawn to the maze of religious thought, where Plato may lead to Process Theology and Baha'ullah may lead to Buddha. He identifies loosely with the progressive and universalist approach of the Sea of Faith movement and the reflective, respectful listening approach of the Society of Friends (Quakers). His recent work has also led him back to science. He is proud that he survived high school physics and astounded that, after grinding effort, he can now read Stephen Hawking, though in applications of science he remains a techno-dunce.

Contact

Contact is welcomed. Please use the email address banishingboundaries1@gmail.com.