Philosophers and faith traditions alike have warned that ignorance is not just a weakness but the greatest sin – a force that blinds societies, feeds tyranny, and destroys civilizations. From Socrates’ defense of the examined life to Torah’s sacred call to teach, from Quran’s first revealed word Iqra (“Read”) to Buddha’s reminder that ignorance fuels suffering, education has always been understood as humanity’s highest duty and noblest safeguard.
This lecture will explore how Ancient Greek Paideia – the shaping of citizen’s mind and character – intersects with the teachings of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Across continents and centuries, all have seen knowledge not simply as power, but as a form of freedom and salvation. In our modern world, where misinformation spreads faster than the truth and artificial intelligence raises new questions about learning, the message is more urgent than ever: to neglect education is to betray our shared humanity.
Sponsored by: Greek Community of Toronto
Speaker: Prof. Nikos Liodakis, Sociologist, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Name: Professor Nikos Liodakis, PhD
Organization: Wilfrid Laurier University
Bio
Nikos Liodakis is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada). He has taught at WLU since 2004, specializing in research methods and statistics, socio-economic inequality, and ethnicity and “race.” Before joining Laurier, he held academic appointments at McMaster University, Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), and Queen’s University. He has served with the Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion and Policy (LISPOP). He is also a member of the Athens Institute for Education and Research, where he has presided over their Social Science Division, and continues to be Academic Member in the Sociology and Mathematics and Statistics units. He is also active in several Hellenic-Canadian secular organizations.
As part of our March Hellenic Heritage Month and Greek Independence celebrations in Toronto, the Greek Community of Toronto is proud to sponsor a virtual lecture by Professor Nikolaos Liodakis.
Please join us for this important online event at 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 22nd, 2026.
Ignorance is the Greatest Sin – Why education is sacred across civilizations will explore the intersection of Ancient Greek Paideia with various faith traditions.
For additional details and to register for this event, please follow this link:
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