Monthly Archives: February 2013

Thou Shalt Pursue a Liberal Education

Posted on February 28, 2013 by marklangley

Where did the Lord command man to pursue a liberal education? Or maybe we might ask, what commandment do people break when they refuse to pursue a liberal education? “That’s ridiculous!” you say, “everyone is free to choose the kind of … Continue reading →

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Whoops Honey, I think I Wrecked the Kids.

Posted on February 24, 2013 by marklangley

There is an unwritten rule in parenting that prohibits a parent from ever admitting that he has done irreparable damage to the intellectual formation of his children. A parent might admit that he has spoiled his child, or perhaps has … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Waking Up

Posted on February 23, 2013 by marklangley

As we were discussing the Decalogue in my Ethics class the other day, a question came up which struck me with new force. I say “struck me with new force” because I think the last time the question struck me … Continue reading →

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Shakespeare and Lying (A Useful Example)

Posted on February 22, 2013 by marklangley

I can’t remember which pope said something to the effect that a thorough reading of Shakespeare constituted a complete education in Ethics. I was struck by that today, reading Macbeth Act iv scene 3. Ross enters fresh from Scotland and … Continue reading →

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γνῶθι σαὐτόν Know thyself

Posted on February 16, 2013 by marklangley

I am reading Macbeth with my ninth grade English Literature class and was particularly delighted with this little nugget of wisdom in Act 4 scene 2. Lady MacDuff has just discovered that her husband has fled and Ross is attempting … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Shakespeare | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Textbooks

Posted on February 10, 2013 by marklangley

My daughter read the last post about textbooks and fastfood restaurants  and pointed out that the article did not really contain many substantive reasons for why text books are boring. She wondered even about the point of the post. I told … Continue reading →

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Textbooks and Fast-Food Restaurants

Posted on February 10, 2013 by marklangley

As much as I try I now find it nearly impossible to get enthusiastic about any textbook. There is something about the whole textbook genre that just seems almost intrinsically boring- or at the very best, interesting for a very … Continue reading →

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The Olive Wreath

Posted on February 4, 2013 by marklangley

When Xerxes discovered that the Greeks were celebrating the Olympic Festival  the first day after the battle of Thermopylae he asked a Greek deserter “for what do the Greek athletes contend?” When told that they were not competing for money … Continue reading →

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