The University of Athens Marks Its First Official Celebration of World Philosophy Day with a Lecture by Harvard Professor Michael Sandel

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) celebrated, for the first time in its long history, World Philosophy Day, officially and with due ceremony. The event took place on Thursday, 20 November 2025, at 14:00 in the Great Hall of the University’s main building (30 Panepistimiou St, 106 79 Athens) in the presence of the University Authorities.

In this way, the global celebration of World Philosophy Day assumed particular significance for Greece, the homeland of philosophy through the ages, and Athens, the international capital of philosophy. In 2025, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, following a decision by the Administration Council, introduced the official celebration of World Philosophy Day in response to a joint proposal put forward by the Departments of Philosophy (School of Philosophy) and History & Philosophy of Science (School of Science).

Delivering the keynote speech at the inaugural celebration was Michael Sandel, Professor of Political Philosophy at Harvard University and one of the most prominent thinkers of our day. The event was co-organized with the Municipality of Athens, as part of the series of initiatives entitled ‘NKUA in the City’ under the coordination of Professor Achilleas Chaldaeakes.

The occasion aspires to serve as a platform that bridges the academic and public spheres, highlighting philosophy as a vibrant and essential tool for understanding the world and our times. By celebrating the day in the homeland of philosophy, in the country that gave birth to it, and in the city of Athens, where philosophical thought reached its highest flourishing, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens honours the enduring relationship between this place and the spirit of philosophy, connecting the global observance with the cradle of philosophical reflection.

Addressing the event were:

The Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos,

The Mayor of Athens, Professor Haris Doukas,

The Member of the Administration Council and coordinator of the series of initiatives entitled ‘NKUA in the City’, Professor Achilleas Chaldaeakes,

The Chair of the Department of Philosophy, School of Philosophy, Professor Georgios Steiris,

And the Chair of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, School of Science, Professor Anthony Hatzimoysis.

The celebration closed with a speech by Michael Sandel, Professor of Political Philosophy at Harvard University, entitled ‘In Search of the Common Good’.

In his welcome address, the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, noted, among other points, that: ‘World Philosophy Day was established by UNESCO with the aim of highlighting the enduring importance of philosophy for education, democracy, and culture.

In an age marked by speed, complexity, and often polarization, philosophy provides the space and time for reflective thought.

For the University of Athens, the oldest and largest Higher Education Institution in Greece, the celebration of this day carries particular significance. We are in the city where Western philosophy was born—the city of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. In this very city, public dialogue became the cornerstone of democratic life. Continuing this tradition, not as a mere relic of the past, but as a vibrant intellectual heritage, is both our responsibility and our mission.

On this momentous occasion, we have the great pleasure and honour of hosting one of the most influential contemporary thinkers in political philosophy and ethics: Professor Michael Sandel from Harvard University. His presence here today provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect anew on critical questions of public morality, justice, and the future of democracy’.

Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis