A frequent Phi Beta Cons contributor — and, of course, president of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Reform — she explains the role of the Great Books, and why they’re largely shunned in the curriculum today. A must-watch, especially for anyone seeking to explain their worth to children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
I always liked the attitude of one of my literature teachers when I was first in college. He said, "If you don't like the classics of literature, most likely there's something wrong with you, not with the people who have celebrated the works over the centuries." Professor Bland Mathis at The Citadel, 1964-65.
I hate to tell everyone this, but as a philosophy PhD and Instructor in my department, I am trained in the history of Western thought from Plato up until the 20th century. In my intro courses, I regularly use Plato and Aristotle. I make my students read the great books of Western philosophy, and this is done regularly in my department. My department does have a historical orientation, but it is not as if philosophy departments have completely abandoned great books traditions. Jane Shaw's comments overstate this case for philosophy. I have no expertise outside of philosophy.
Of course, philosophy is a highly canonized tradition of works, and we don't shy away from calling into question basic philosophical concepts that conservative political tradition might treat with reverence. I'll show arguments both for God's existence and his non-existence. Last time, I put Aquinas in conversation with Sartre's text. As the philosophy instructor, it is not my agenda to teach students what to think. My intro courses are solely designed for them to start questioning on their own by providing them with resources to initiate such reflection.
There is something to be said for taking classes from an expert in that liberal art discipline. Homeschooling might achieve a basic understanding of surface themes of a text, but when you don't have someone mindful of the historical and contextual nuances of these classical cultural works, then you seriously misunderstand them.
They may be shunned in government schools, but many homeschool curricula are based around them.
One example: External Link
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI always liked the attitude of one of my literature teachers when I was first in college. He said, "If you don't like the classics of literature, most likely there's something wrong with you, not with the people who have celebrated the works over the centuries." Professor Bland Mathis at The Citadel, 1964-65.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTo supplement Little Old Me's suggestion (a Catholic Great Books program for home-schoolers), here is a great Protestant-oriented version:
External Link
A priceless education. I wish every student could have it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseUmm...
I hate to tell everyone this, but as a philosophy PhD and Instructor in my department, I am trained in the history of Western thought from Plato up until the 20th century. In my intro courses, I regularly use Plato and Aristotle. I make my students read the great books of Western philosophy, and this is done regularly in my department. My department does have a historical orientation, but it is not as if philosophy departments have completely abandoned great books traditions. Jane Shaw's comments overstate this case for philosophy. I have no expertise outside of philosophy.
Of course, philosophy is a highly canonized tradition of works, and we don't shy away from calling into question basic philosophical concepts that conservative political tradition might treat with reverence. I'll show arguments both for God's existence and his non-existence. Last time, I put Aquinas in conversation with Sartre's text. As the philosophy instructor, it is not my agenda to teach students what to think. My intro courses are solely designed for them to start questioning on their own by providing them with resources to initiate such reflection.
There is something to be said for taking classes from an expert in that liberal art discipline. Homeschooling might achieve a basic understanding of surface themes of a text, but when you don't have someone mindful of the historical and contextual nuances of these classical cultural works, then you seriously misunderstand them.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse