Maxwell John Charlesworth (30 December 1925 – 2 June 2014) 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; and 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."
Biography Charlesworth was born in Numurkah, Victoria on 30 December 1925, the younger son of William and Mabel Charlesworth. He was educated at government schools in Numurkah, and then at Assumption College, Kilmore. Charlesworth moved to Melbourne to study at the University of Melbourne, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts with honours in 1946 and a Masters of Arts in 1948.
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