Friends of Antiquity Sunday Series: the death of Socrates and the concept of grief

Join us for the July Sunday Series event titled: The death of Socrates and the concept of grief, presented by Michael Halliday, Vice-President of Friends of Antiquity.

The trial and death of Socrates, the great Greek Philosopher in 399BC, by the City of Athens on charges of Impiety and Corrupting the Youth, was no more than a prosecution of ideas.

The paradox and shame in the trial was that a city famous for free speech, prosecuted a Philosopher for doing nothing more than exercising it. Socrates’ trial and its outcome represents one of the most challenging problems of Democracy… dissent.

Michael Halliday, Vice-President of Friends of Antiquity, will review the trial and death of Socrates, and discuss the concept of grief, with an examination of the famous Jacques-Louis David magisterial canvas ‘The Death of Socrates’.

The event will be held at the University of Queensland Forgan Smith Building, followed by an afternoon tea.

Presenter: Michael Halliday

Halliday is a retired Barrister and Judicial Officer (Magistrate and Coroner). He was born and educated in Melbourne and has served more than 50 years in the service of the Law.

As an adjunct to his Legal professional interests, History, in particular Legal, Ancient and Australian, has been his interest but since joining Friends he has developed a keen academic appetite for Greek Philosophy, with specific reference to Socrates.

He presently is Chairman of The Cook Society (Queensland) and is former Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.