Should individuals be free to pursue their own passions and interests in life? It’s very likely you agree with this liberal principle. But it’s less clear that ideals of personal freedom and fairness are enough to build a sustainable, meaningful and ethical life. What about ideals like interdependence or having a higher purpose? Philosopher Alexandre Lefebvre argues that liberalism is all we need, both in the personal and the political realm. Come along to see if he can convince you, with a dash of humour from charismatic performer and writer Mish Grigor.

What’s it like at the Sophia Club?

You’ll experience spirited conversation between the guest speaker and host alongside captivating artistic performances. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with food, drink and conversation.

Alexandre Lefebvre

Speaker

Alexandre Lefebvre is professor of politics and philosophy at the University of Sydney. His research interests include political theory, the history of political thought, modern and contemporary French philosophy, and human rights. In his most recent book, Liberalism as a Way of Life (2024), he shows how liberalism is all you need to lead a good, fun, worthy and rewarding life – and how you can become a better and happier person by taking your liberal beliefs more seriously. He has received fellowships from Princeton University, Cornell University, the Australian National University, the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Alex can be found on Twitter at @alex_usyd

Mish Grigor

Artist

Mish Grigor is a celebrated Australian performer, theatremaker and writer using autobiography, humour and fiction to interrogate the frames of power from which art and identity emerge. She is the co-director of experimental arts organisation APHIDS, which won the Melbourne award for Arts and Events in 2023. Mish’s solo piece The Talk toured internationally to Forest Fringe, Buzzcut, The Marlborough, Performance Space for Liveworks, Darwin Festival and PICA. She is also a PhD researcher at Monash University, working under the Staging Australian Women’s Lives ARC project. She has most recently been performing at the Lincoln Center in New York City with Pan Pan Theatre.

Mish can be found on Instagram at @mishgrigor.pdf

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.