Category Archives: classical education

My Apology to The Supreme Court of The United States of America

Posted on July 3, 2015 by marklangley

I meant to have written this little post several weeks ago before the Supreme Court announced its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. Obviously, the nation had a right to know what the ancient pagan Greeks would say about Marriage, and I am … Continue reading →

Posted in catholic education, classical education, Philosophy of Nature, Socrates | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The Die is Cast

Posted on May 24, 2015 by marklangley

Catholic Liberal Education presents an interesting dilemma that sooner or later presents its most enthusiastic proponents with a stark choice. It is the kind of dilemma that Julius Caesar faced in 49 BC before he crossed the Rubicon with his army. A decision must be made … Continue reading →

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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Posted on March 22, 2015 by marklangley

I’m not so certain that I want to be king of Scotland anymore. After reading The Tragedy of Macbeth with my students, I am having a difficult time shaking off a sense that life is meaningless when worldly ambition is the governing principle. … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, classical education, Literature, Seven Fine Arts, Shakespeare | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Catholic Liberal Education And Respect For Life

Posted on March 14, 2015 by marklangley

Over the past several days I have been stewing over a proposition that seems perfectly obvious to me but which, I am afraid, will be offensive to the vast majority of good and well-intentioned  people who choose to send their children … Continue reading →

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The Attempt And Not The Deed Confounds Us.

Posted on February 27, 2015 by marklangley

Of all the authors we should compel our students to read, surely no one is so foolhardy as to demand a reason for reading Shakespeare.   I can forgive the one who asks, Why should students read Aeschylus? Or Why do you force them … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Literature, Shakespeare | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

On small beginnings: Wisely and Slow Part V

Posted on February 1, 2015 by marklangley

Classical education has something to do with wisdom. It has something to do with becoming wise. The classical scholars among you will undoubtedly recognize two litotes in that clever opener. Of course classical education has something to do with wisdom. … Continue reading →

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Two Reasons Why Things Are Difficult to Understand: Wisely and Slow Part IV

Posted on January 25, 2015 by marklangley

As has been thoroughly set forth and expounded here in a beautiful succinct and brilliant paper on this very subject, there are seven times when we need to go wisely and slow in our path towards wisdom, that is in … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, discussion, Heraclitus, Philosophy of Nature, truth for its own sake | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Learning Latin

Posted on December 24, 2014 by marklangley

Now I admit that the last post was on the silly side. I am still kind of embarrassed about it. The Latin itself would probably best be described as some kind of Latin doggerel. You will be relieved to know that … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Grammar, Latin, Liberal Arts | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Speaking Latin? Humbug!

Posted on December 14, 2014 by marklangley

  Tu Interrogas: “O Marce de Campo Longo, Potesne dicere aut loqui Latine? Respondeo (iocose et cum levitate): “Primo, interroga me utrum cura mihi sit” vel “Primum, me interroga si mihi curare debet Tunc graviter Interrogas: “O Marce de Longo … Continue reading →

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In Which the Lion and Ox Discuss the Furies

Posted on December 8, 2014 by marklangley

Lion:  That last post about Aeschylus’ Eumenides was too long – and frankly Langley began to lose me when he started talking about conscience. The lengthy citations were no help either. Ox: Yes, the post was rather long-winded. Langley talks … Continue reading →

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