Is philosophy a way of life?

Ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle had a huge influence on the history of ideas, but can we treat them as wise guides to living well today? Could their conversations about ethics and the good life help us navigate our complex world? Or are these essentially intellectual experiments, too hard to put into practice in everyday life? Drawing on a number of the ancient Greek and Roman thinkers, we explore contemporary dilemmas, accompanied by the insights and music of jazz great Paul Grabowsky.

Margaret Cameron

Speaker

Margaret Cameron’s expansive research profile includes contemporary metaphysics, aesthetics, the history of medieval and early modern philosophy and, most recently, the ethics and politics of the true crime genre. She is currently the head of the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne, following a decade of work as Canada Research Council Chair in the Aristotelian tradition at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Margaret has produced more than 41 scholarly works, and recently co-edited the 2021 edition of Jean-Baptiste Du Bos’s seminal work Critical Reflections on Poetry and Painting (1719).

Paul Grabowsky

Artist

According to Paul Grabowsky, ‘the piano never lies.’ His dedication to the field of jazz and improvisational music is underpinned by a deep appreciation for expressive freedom. Moreover, Paul advocates for artistic expression as a defining attribute in everyday life, not only as a performer, but as a composer, teacher, mentor and leader. You’ll currently find him at the Monash Academy of Performing Arts as executive director – to this role, he brings the rich musical achievements of his career. Recognition of these achievements includes multiple ARIA awards, the Melbourne Prize for Music, an H C Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship, and an Order of Australia.

Paul can be found on Instagram at @official_paulgrabowsky

Brigid Hains

Host

Brigid Hains is the editorial director of Aeon Media. An environmental historian by training, she is driven by a deep curiosity about the natural and human worlds. The Sophia Club is a chance for Brigid to express her love of beauty and the arts, and to share the heartfelt dimensions of her intellectual life.