Public talk: Finding the Good Life

Finding the Good Life

A free public talk by special guest speaker Dr Steven Kennedy.

This free public lecture will broadly draw on four influential schools of ancient Greek philosophy, each offering a distinctive view of happiness and fulfilment: Plato’s belief in a rational soul seeking truth and knowledge; Aristotle’s vision of flourishing through virtue and active citizenship; Epicurus’ pursuit of simple pleasures, friendship and freedom from fear; and the Stoics’ insistence that peace of mind comes from valuing good character and focusing on what we can control. We will also consider the ideal of the good citizen, linking classical thought to public service and philanthropy, and examining how these responsibilities shaped life in the ancient polis.

Guest speaker Dr. Steven Kennedy is Head of Classics and teaches ancient Greek at Harrow School. He completed his PhD at the University of Exeter and has been teaching at Harrow School for over a decade.

This talk is one of a series presented by the Department of Classics at the University of Canterbury, with the support of the UC Teece Museum.

WHEN: Tuesday 14 July, 6pm. Doors open at 5.45pm
WHERE: Recital Room, Ground floor, UC Arts city location, 3 Hereford St.