10-12 OCTOBER 2025
Ancient philosophy and happiness today
12:00
PRESENTATION
with Elsa Nikolaidou and Dr. Christos Hadjiioannou
DESCRIPTION
CAN HAPPINESS BE TEACHED?
Yes, it is taught, and the ancient philosophers are the best suited to do this. The theories of happiness of Democritus, Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus and the Stoics were formed in antiquity, but they continue to be successfully applied in modern globalized society. Taking care of oneself, having a positive attitude towards life, practicing the mean of virtues, cultivating friendship, limiting pleasure, trusting in the power of the mind are just some of the suggestions of philosophers that help us understand that, instead of waiting for moments of happiness, it is in our hands to live a happy life.
DEMOCRITUS
A life without celebrations is a long road without an inn.
SOCRATES
A life that is not examined is not worth living.
ARISTOTLE
If people are friends, they do not need justice, but when they are just, they need friendship. […] No one would choose to live without friends, even if they had all the other goods.
EPICURUS
Unhappy is he who cannot judge himself to be happy, even if he rules the world.
SENECA
Those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future will have a short and turbulent life.
MARCUS AURELIUS
Dig within yourself, within you lies the source of good and it will always be able to gush forth, if you always dig.
BRIEF CV
Elsa Nikolaidou was born and raised in Thessaloniki. She studied Philosophy at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (undergraduate and postgraduate studies) and Aristotelian Philosophy, giving a new interpretation of the Aristotelian definition of the soul (doctoral thesis). Since 2005 she has lived in Larnaca, Cyprus. She has taught Philosophy in private and public education, where she currently works, while she also served for a year as a Philosophy Advisor to the Ministry of Education of Cyprus (MOE). At the same time, she has participated with her announcements in national and international Philosophy conferences and has organized Philosophy seminars with the Cyprus Youth Organization, the Foundation for Cultural Creation for Children and Youth and the Pierides Museum-Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. Since 2018, he has been collaborating with the Cypriot newspaper O Phileleftheros, where he maintains the column "Philosophy and Life".
Metaichmio Publications publishes her book Philosophy for All: Why should we read the ancient philosophers?
Organizers
