Visitor Voices: Getting Social 1

Getting Social 1: Does a multicultural society inspire social cohesion or serve as an impediment to it?

While we can admire ancient Greece’s openness towards new ideas encountered through foreigners, we can also find several examples where the foreigner is equated with civil factionalism and unrest – so much so that Aristotle argued against cultural diversity, suggesting it would undermine democracy and social cohesion. This thinking is increasingly echoed in modern liberal democracies such as Germany and the Netherlands, which are retreating from a policy of multiculturalism and criticising it for creating more division than unity. Like their modern equivalents, ancient societies struggled with the daily realities of a multicultural population, including how to manage the status of immigrants and the process of ‘assimilation’. Join us to discuss modern and ancient concepts of social cohesion, and ponder how Australia can build its future in a globalising world where others are retreating from a policy of multiculturalism.

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About Visitor Voices

The ancient Greeks were known for their love of getting together in a relaxed environment, breaking bread and arguing about philosophy, politics and the meaning of life. Inspired by these ancient symposia, Visitor Voices invites you to explore some of life's age-old questions from a modern perspective, in a casual group environment.

On the third Saturday of every month, Museum staff will guide participants through a Socratic-style discussion among a small group, unleashing your inner philosopher and creating a dialogue between institution and visitor. In 2024 we will explore four major themes – Conflict and Humanity, Law and Freedom, Childhood and Getting Social – with each theme explored over 2–3 sessions, and every session centred around a different question. There's no prior knowledge required, just a sense of curiosity!

Tickets include Museum general admission before or after the session. Please note, due to the discussion of mature themes, this program is recommended for ages 15 and older.

Next session: Sat 14 December – Getting Social 2

To explore other themes and available sessions, see the Visitor Voices hub.