I'm 29 years old and have never pursued a college degree. I work in sales. Ever since reverting back to my Traditional Catholic faith I've been feeling prompted to start reading the classics on the side. The Traditional Catholic Church I attend has classical curriculum k-12, and the students are so articulate, joyful, and morally strong it's unbelievable. We've been robbed of thise beautiful education. I've been robbed. Currently looking at Memoria Press and their Masters in Arts program for Adults. Also, Hillsdale College has free online courses. I know this will be an endeavor worth pursuing. Good luck all.
Hillsdale has some amazing online courses. They have done a great job at creating high quality video content that is easy and enjoyable to consume. I would love to visit that place one day. I feel your journey my friend! I do not think you will regret reading the classics. Stay blessed my friend!
I too attend TLM! I’m overjoyed you discovered this in your youth, I’m in my 50’s and just realized how dumbed down I’ve allowed myself to become with decaying worldly things and how much of the Mass they watered down. Sancte Michael, defende nos in proelio. Great informative videos Mr. Pirie, thank you!
Also read about John Dewey and his opposition to classical education. He was a key player in creating the system we have now that favors conformity and obedience rather than thinking skills and the Great Conversation. His view on education became the prevailing view, That citizens should be prepared as workers Rather than individuals and thinkers.
Both E. D. Hirsch and Mortimer Adler, two proponents of classical-esque knowledge-rich education, indicate that the followers of Dewey were most troublesome. Hirsch has noted that Dewey did say contradictory things in his extensive writings, but it was his followers, like Kilpatrick, that caused problems by, it seems, not carefully considering Dewey's ideas. Dewey did want all Americans to have access to an equally excellent education that would not only prepare us to participate in self-governance but to also educate people to being well-rounded and fully developed as individuals able to be engaged in a free society. As Hirsch and Adler are able to keep the wheat and blow the chaff away, perhaps elements of Dewey, the best that promotes the greatest development of people, can be retained and combined with the best of Charlotte Mason, Hirsch, Adler, Postman, and Susan Wise Bauer.
I think you are mistaken that Dewey wanted people to be prepared to be workers. Adler notes Dewey's view was to educate all people to be able to participate fully as citizens--to have the knowledge and skills necessary for this responsibility. He wanted people to be well-educated as individuals, too--to educate "the man", the person, not just a worker or citizen. Blow away the chaff for there is some good to retain.
@@emilymiller1792 Among others, Christopher Dawson writes extensively about Dewey's philosophy of progressive pragmatism and how it reshaped modern education. The writing was on the the wall despite the good intentions. There are quite a few critics among the fans.
Rob, All these videos are GREAT. Please be encouraged, and continue ‘the cause’. It is a noble and necessary one. We too are homeschooling our children now. Better education than I ever received as a child by far. Your children are worth the effort. So keep it up, War Fighter. Lastly, to anyone wondering, yes Cedar Ota coffee is delicious. I’m burning through two bags now and will have more on the way! Give it a try if you’ve been on the fence about it. You won’t regret it.
Dude thanks so much for the feedback and support! We also reallybenjoybhomeschooling and I am fortunate enough to have a wife that is willing to do it and put in the time. Truly wish the best for you and hope you enjoyed the coffee! As always, stay blessed my friend!
I homeschool and we are a Memoria Press family, I am very grateful that I am getting a classical education redo alongside my children. I also inherited the Harvard classics series (first editions!) from my mom, who inherited from her grandmother who attended college when she was 16. I’m thinking I might want to get another set that’s not so precious!
That’s so awesome you have a set with history. I have marked up my best very heavily but I would feel the same if it was passed down through the family. As for Memoria Press, I actually just got the Prima Latin for myself as well as my daughter so I can learn with her. How long have you been using Memoria Press?
We've been with MP for about 5 years now and I have complete curriculum peace with them! Prima Latina is great, do you watch the streaming video? Leigh Lowe is such a good teacher. @@The_Cause
Classical Education Homeschool program is also a way to teach in a classical style! For those who think the past has little to nothing to teach us, just ask yourself this: Do you want to think for yourself and decide what is best for your life or do you want the to be told what to do and follow the path set for you by strangers? If you answer yes to the first, I suggest you take the time and learn from history and all the great thinkers of the past and present! Otherwise you are simply fooling yourself into thinking you are independent and the master of your own universe!
What a great point and put so simple. Thanks for sharing. I feel this is a struggle of mine personally that I am trying to correct late in life. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!
I have been obsessed with classical education for several years. My kids are both in their 4th year of Memoria Press. How have I not found your channel sooner?! Absolutely what I need to help me dive deeper.
Dude these are awesome! I have listened to some of Adler's interviews but I never found these on TH-cam. Truly appreciate you sharing. Stay blessed my friend!
A powerful and relevant quote: “the way the youth are currently education leads them to hate the concept of learning…” After taking a chance on an Amazon 3rd party seller, I received my Harvard Classics 22 volume Deluxe Edition published in 1969 for $140. They are in excellent condition and have the dark green cover with gold lettering. I started book 1: Franklin, Woolman & Penn. My Classical Liberal Arts self-study endeavor begins.
Nice!!! Glad to hear you had a good set. It’s always sketchy ordering used stuff online. I got lucky my set was in decent shape. I love the look of the dark green edition. Beautiful set. I truly appreciate you following along and stay blessed brother!
@@The_Cause the dark green books do look nice. I will use your video book reviews as motivation. In between classwork I find some time to read them. I’m reading it slow for comprehension, making notes (in pencil), and treat it like a course that requires in-class discussion. Thanks again for the inspiration.
As someone who went through a classical education in europe. The value of knowing what has come before and why, especially through language, as greek gives you a perspective on latin, so where you once struggled in latin, you now struggle in greek, but understand latin and why you struggle in greek. You learn a lot about the structure of grammar and it has given me a lot of knowledge and tools for uni and work. It still has a lot of value.
@@The_Cause Latin is actually fun to learn because it's completed and limited, yet you see the roots everywhere. Treat it like a decoding game with your textbook as a deciphering manual.
I was homeschooled, but not classically, and there are huge holes in my literary education in particular. (balanced I supposed by the aspects of homeschooling that are inherently more beneficial than traditional schooling, particularly in that I got a lot more of that practical life experience that you mentioned). My boys, however, are going to a classical school and I have taught at a classical school for the majority of my adult life (currently I teach music). I think there are inherent and unavoidable drawbacks in any school setting, and you alluded to them (being in the box for 12+years), even a classical one, but all the same, it's a huge improvement over what they would have otherwise and I'm so grateful to give them this opportunity. Classical education today is only a fraction of what Milton describes, but we certainly try! The arts, the Latin, the study of ancient cultures and their writings and their laws, the great works of literature throughout time... my boys are learning all of that and I'm so thankful! My goal is to read everything with my high school son (he's a freshman now) in his literature classes that I haven't yet read, so I can fill in those holes in my education. Plus, you've inspired me to read these Harvard classics. It will take me time, but I'm thinking this one might be a good place to start, as a classical educator!
I love hearing your perspective on how you are schooling your kids. We looked for a classical school but none are close to our area. This is our first year homeschooling so we are just trying the Memoria Press curriculum and just experimenting to see what is best at the moment. I am kind of looking forward to the day they can read some of these books so I can discuss them. Right now we are at the basics. In this day and age we just have to find what works best and use the resources around us. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!
Completely encouraging and inspiring. Im 42 and I’m getting obsessed lately about self education. I too feel like public school failed me in a lot of ways but mostly in learning to love learning. Sure I learned the basics and I got a job that pays well, but I feel I’ve missed out on a lot of richness in life bc I left my school years hating education.
You and I both. That "hate" for education is such a common thing with many of our generations that I do not see prior to the 1900s. My uncles and older men used to always hate on school and just talked about work. But I agree with you. So much joy in life comes from self-education and learning to love what is just and beautiful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and watching my friend!
I had a classical education until 3rd grade and it was out of this world! I highly recommend it for everyone at all ages! We had gymnastics upto 3 times a day.
Your works and thoughts are quite relevant. I am an educational psychologist who was influenced as a teenager by Milton’s work. Our four children were homeschooled, and six of our grandchildren are homeschooled. The purpose of education, as is the purpose of life, is to glorify God.
What an encouraging comment in many ways. We are elbows deep in starting the homeschool process and it has been tough but enjoyable and rewarding. This series is kind of a byproduct of that. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
The knowledge that ypu are painstakingly sharing with the whole world is priceless. I truly appreciate the effort you are putting in each of the videos. Great content! May God Bless you and Mary keep you.
Thank you so much! I truly enjoy making these videos and have learned so much the burden seems to be well worth it. I truly appreciate you watching and hope you stay blessed as well!
Awesome review and commentary. Two things I would accent the conversation with. 1) physical education has the added benefit of restructuring the brain. The idea of the bookish nerd vs the jock is a modern characature. 2) Reviewing the basics is a lifelong task, and repeadted work of fundamentals is the path to mastery. In our progress based novelty loving society we crave the novel all too much. A strong blade is made thru annealing and pounding over and over. Love the channel. Keep on keepin on!
Love these two perspectives. Building and strengthening that solid foundation has been something I realized is very important in almost every aspect of life. Thanks for watching and stay blessed my friend!
Thankfully my parents did a lot of after school education. I learned Latin, Spanish for extra reading. My dad taught me basics of mechanic work and woodworking. I agree.l with Milton, if you have resources a class education is under valued in modern day life.
That’s awesome. We are currently trying to figure all that out for our kids. My wife is teaching them Spanish and we are going to try and introduce Latin next year. Do you feel it was worth the time invested?
ethos pathos logos all in check in the review, man. This series is great and seeing the community grow is great, too. "The Love of Virtue" that's the hardest concept. Same w the definition, Love and virtue are defined by their practice. Great episode.
Truly appreciate the feedback and I am glad to hear you enjoyed it. I need to familiarize myself with the three concepts you mentioned more. They seem to show up often in these old texts. Stay blessed my friend!
I read Adler years ago, but I'm not familiar w Gatto. One thing from Adler's book that I often refer to is his reading list in the back of the book. It's packed full of great works.
Adler's How to Read a Book changed my reading life completely. I'm very interested in hearing what you think about it. Your viewers would benefit from learning about it too I'm sure. Fantastic book.
Thanks for producing this series, Rob!. Kudos to you for being so self examined and open to improvement. We should all do this a little more often. And thank you for taking everyone on this journey as you talk through what you are learning.. This series has become a nightly ritual as I wind down for the day.
That’s so awesome to hear and I truly appreciate the kind words. This series has been a joy to create and I am not planning on stopping anytime soon. Stay blessed my friend!
As a first generation classical homeschooler I appreciate this so much! We are 10 years into this and I can tell you that this kind of education is achievable- not perfectly of course, only Christ is perfect, but I have found a community who is as passionate about this as I am.
That’s so awesome to hear. We are in our first year and it has been quite the struggle to find a good program, understand all this classical stuff, and then decide on what is best for the kids. Glad to hear from others who are ahead in this journey. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!
This is some of the best content that I’ve enjoyed in TH-cam in a long while. I almost feel uncomfortable calling it mere “content” because it is so thoughtful and inspiring. Thanks for what you do!
I reflect on homeschooling alot and I came to the conclusion that it has a very big disadvantage although our current schooling system isn't ideal but I'd say, it is pretty ideal because anyone who finishes it, they now have the requirements for self study, so the school doesn't offer much about daily lives but it makes us people who can venture out and self study but I'd still say to have children being educated to some amount at home during their school life, like about ethics, logic, and stuff
No problem at all! I am happy to have you here and welcome aboard. I think you will enjoy the little community we are creating here. Thanks for watching and stay blessed!
Oh wow thanks so much! I truly appreciate hearing that. I really enjoy making these video and if people continue to enjoy this series then I will continue to put them out. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!
I’ve not read Milton’s piece but I can tell from your description it’s much more interesting and thorough than Dorothy Sayer’s speech that is referenced (too) often these days. I’ll look this up, thank you for covering this.
Milton is honestly what I think a true classical education entails. The problem is, as you saw, it would literally take most of your day and night to complete at the level he is referring to. Locke has a good piece on education as well. Both Locke's and Milton's are short reads. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!
Just went down the rabbit hole. Very good recommendation. They have a rep in my area I am going to reach out to. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!
I can’t wait to review that one as well. My degree is in Finance so I am looking forward to seeing how much was left out of my college education. Haha truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!
thank you for these videos on classical education. personally, i think all these knowledge is more relevant than ever before. God wants us to be free and to be humbled and it is my belief that as we read the classic and the scriptures we learn to have a better relationship with our creator.
Haha thanks so much! The biographies of the founders have been a huge part of my reading list over the past few years. It may sound weird but personalities have formed for all the major characters and even minor ones like John Marshall, Hale, and Arnold. The personality of each grows every time I read a new story on them. Thanks for watching my friend!
i find it crazy how there's a growing sentiment against a school-based approach, as i have seen schools near me try their best to adapt, and seek answers that are now more diverse instead of hinging on rote learning. then i realize what i'm seeing is specific to my country, and complaints on schools seem to be coming from elsewhere. no idea where, but elsewhere.
@@The_Cause I truly appreciate your job with this serie of videos, so I thank you too. For Aristotle, I recommend you to get a book called The Basic Works of Aristotle, an anthology organized by Richard McKeon. Excellent work, with the help of a lot of good translators.
I used to want to learn a lot of things and I spent a lot of time on that but now after I learned a lot about the world and that there’s nothing new under the sun, I just want to work hard and in my free time just sit around and play music and drink 😂. Politics doesn’t matter anymore to me, knowing everything doesn’t matter, because it’s all out of my control. It would be great if I prayed a little more 🙏🏻
I'm in the same situation. Just retired early but plan on working again. But, taking the next 8 months off. Finally learning to play guitar and in lieu of beer I smoke cigars and good pipe tobacco. I know what it feels like to think "I've seen this before. But nobody will listen to my arguments, so I'm just going to sit back for a while.: My best.
Yes indeed. The amount of discipline and focus is just not there anymore for this type of curriculum to currently exist. Thanks for watching my friend!
I was homeschooled for essentially 1st grade through 5th grade. I was read tolkien early on to get me interested in literature and also had more exposure to geography and using globes. Would definitely partially attribute that to some of my success later in public school
That’s cool to hear. I love hearing the perspectives from you that were homeschooled. I can’t wait to read Tolkien with mine when they get older. Thanks for watching my friend!
I'm so happy to hear of the success of the channel! I think that speaks to your skills as a teacher coupled with the need and desire for the material you are covering. Onward and upward!
Thanks so much David! I have really been enjoying this series. I hate to say it but I would almost give up the coffee business to continue making them (Not giving up coffee though). I have really learned a lot so far and the community forming is really nice. Hope all has been well brother and stay blessed!
The Great Conversation, in the words of Hutchins, would solve our problems in our democracy if people were educated in the classics instead of hollow textbooks and opinions of teachers. The first volume in the 1950s edition of the Great Books of the Western World slapped me across the face, made much sense to the problem of our country and the West.
1. I am finally caught up with this series and wow am I enjoying it! 2. Thank you for the amazing PNG coffee that I just received. Feeling very blessed! 3. I just bought my own copy of the HC series because of this channel. I have always enjoyed reading philosophy, theology, and classics and I hope to read along with you as I am able. Thanks for all that you do.
I am truly happy that people are enjoying this series and finding value in it. Nothing better to hear than that. As for the coffee I truly appreciate you ordering. For some reason coffee just tastes better when paired with a good book! Curious to know which set you were able to get?
@@The_Cause Harvard Classics, The Five Foot Shelf of Books, volumes 1 thru 50 plus lectures. 1909-1910 The spine says PF Collier and Sons. I should receive them Monday in the mail, but they are a dark read volume due to the older printing. Not the shiny nice ones you have 😄
#7:00 agree with you there mate, I was never interested in any academic studies even in school and now I regret it but I'm grateful that the love of education enter my heart a few years ago because of one enlighten individual in our modern age, I'd agrue he's currently the most intelligent person living in the west, even above jp, but hey that's just my thoughts 😅 -Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
This video invigorated me with such a wish to learn that I just went and bought all of Plato's writings in Ancient Greek and Cicero's speeches in Latin. Now for reading them... 😅
@@The_Cause I used it k-2 and it was wonderful. However, we are Catholic and I really wanted our curriculum to be overtly Catholic (mainly seeing history through a Catholic lens and not a Protestant one) and I didn’t want to piece things together, that’s too much work for a busy mother. Although, I think MP is extremely Catholic friendly (since the founder was Catholic). I still marvel over MP catalogs and watch their TH-cam. It’s definitely top notch in my opinion.
When the "Ten Camandments" flashed across the screen, I saw the most common 😳 error. The line should actually read; "Thou shalt not murder". Which ment "to lie in wait and shed innocent blood." To kill in defense of self, family and tribe was, indeed, authorized and expected. Yes, it took me years of study before I uncovered this truth !
I purchased a set a couple months ago. I will definitely be venturing into them later down the road. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed buddy!
Hey! I’m glad you enjoyed it! This series has been a blast to create. I recently picked up “A Defense of Classical Education” by Livingston from Memoria Press awhile back and it is going to be the first book I cover in a new series I am starting this summer. My kids use your programs and I love the podcast you guys put out. Please keep up the great work as well. I feel Memoria and Hillsdale are the tip of the spear leading this movement and I just want to be here on the flanks in support. Stay blessed my friends!
Rob, Thank you for posting your thoughts on Milton's Tractate on Education. I've yet to read it but your presentation has certainly piqued my interest. I'm also happy see that the book is influencing the way you go about educating your children. I myself homeschooled my son for a bit. He is special needs though, high-functioning autism, and a few years ago I found an appropriate school setting for him so he's there now. While he definitely needs specialized instruction, I still tutor him after school, focusing on the great books and the sciences. At any rate, when you described how Tractate on Education is a letter Milton wrote to an acquaintance I couldn't help but think of John Locke's A New Method of Making Commonplace Books. It's a long letter Locke wrote to an acquaintance about how to properly build a commonplace book. If you don't know what a commonplace book is please see the attached link below. The type of reading you engage in would benefit greatly from keeping a commonplace book. I keep one and doing so, coupled with Adler and Van Doren's method of reading in How to Read a Book, I find that I retain much more information than my peers when I read a book. Can't wait for the next video. Take care! curiosity.lib.harvard.edu/reading/catalog/42-990033581460203941
Thank you so much for the info! I have heard so many people refer to the common place book and I just need to take some time and dig into it. So, thanks so much for sharing that. I truly appreciate you watching and hope you stay blessed!
I appreciate your drive and willingness to provide this content, Thank you. May God shine His face upon you, bless you, and keep you. Continue the battle and journey, dear friend.
"The doing is just as important as the studying" The Epictetus comes back around. Lol. It also reminds me of some of Montaignes sentiments on education. I have not read Locke's "Some Thoughts Concerning Education" but I suspect he shares some sentement with this as well.
I am looking forward to reading Locke's work on education. I would like to see how they compare. And yes I feel Epictetus, with all his punchy wisdom, makes an appearance in most of the volumes. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
Lots of great stuff and insights here! The emhpasis on virtue is so cruical, and it is truly refreshing to hear someone talk about academic work as a virtuous and manly enterprise, in contrast with the laxed and effeminate attitutide which is so widespread today, turning boys away from the noble goals of true education. There's one thing, however, that I don't think makes any sense in Milton's course. And it is placing logic last. Correct reasoning is the key to all science, without which one cannot possibly reach certainty of truth that is the hallmark of science, leaving us back in socratic agnosticism. Is not this to put the cart before the horse?
It may have been how I included it in the video. I don’t know if he was rigid in the order in which he was throwing it out. Some things he did as bit I think it was implied that grammar would be first, logic next through history and agricultural science and then rhetoric and defense of argument once they started to get into the more debatable topics of philosophy. The more I think about this curriculum the more I feel it was just a quick outline on a topic he had discussed with his friend in depth before. Some things may have been implied in the letter that we are not privy to knowing. That’s my view on it. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!
Maybe it's just me, but I really enjoyed seeing the quotes on the actual paper of the books in the early videos. For me, for some reason, it appeals more to the imagination, or better reflects the eternity of wisdom.
I’m glad you said that. I may start doing that again. I liked it as well. It was just hard to point out where I was starting. I may find a better method for that in the future videos. Thanks for the feedback!
John Adams is a good book. But, I would like to suggest John Quincy Adams by Unger. Milton ends the day with scripture? I start the day with scripture. My time seems more organized when I do it this way. My son, however, does end his day with scripture. Another book you might enjoy is Rush: Revolution, Madness, and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father by Stephen Fried. Neuroscientist are just now starting to acknowledge that food affects our brains, for good or bad and I could go on and on about the topic of gluttony in many forms. Weapons of Mass Instruction is a good book. Homeschooling is amazing!
John Quincey by Unger was an amazing book. After reading it I would have to say that John Quincey is probably one of the most learned men we have ever had in our political system. I loved how he fought for what he believed in and as I traveled down the journey with him I just realized how lucky a life to be born a the time he was, to the parents he had (Abigail as a mom), and then get to experience all those things as a young boy. I guess it could be a curse too. I have read a book or two on Rush but I will have to check that one out. I just finished the book Nathan Hale by William Phelps and I can not tell you how much I loved it. It is not too long of a read. He had a rather short life though. Thanks so much for watching and sharing some reads with me. Stay blessed!
@@The_Cause yes about Unger's book and yes about your thoughts on JQA. I'm adding Nathan Hale by William Phelps to my tbr. Thank you for sharing that with me. Standing firm in God's word. Thank you brother in Christ. Blessings to you and your family.
It is by Hendrick Aerts from 1602 and it is an imaginary renaissance palace. So, I think it was just a conceptual painting from the period. Thanks for watching my friend!
Also, Rob I don't know if this is a decent place to ask but on the chance that you read this, is there any physical location in the BR area that I might be able to buy some of your coffee directly? I would love to try some but shipping seems pretty inefficient if I could just drive out a bit and pick it up instead.
Beignets of Baton Rouge off of Coursey stocks my coffee. I am not sure how much they have left though. I can check next time I am there. Thanks for watching my friend!
I purchased my set off of Facebook marketplace for $375. I had to look for a while to find a deal. There might be a few sets on eBay. Good luck on your search!
I found my set on Facebook marketplace. Took me a few months to find a good deal and a set close to me. I am sure they are on eBay as well. Just for transparency I paid $375 for my set.
@@The_Cause Thank you, I found a set for 650$ but I will continue to scout for better deals, but also save up money just in case I can’t find anything else
If I see a set not getting sold I do not mind throwing out a price I am willing to pay. There are not many buyers for this type of set so if a seller is presented with an opportunity they may go ahead and agree on your price you offer. That is what I did. They came down no questions.
I think it was expected, even up until very recent, that most would already have a solid foundation and grasp of the scripture. In my opinion it is not that it was left out, but that it was a prerequisite before ever even starting his plan. I feel the same way about the Harvard Classics. Elliot compiled the books and it seems with the intention that you already have a very solid grasp with the works of the Bible. I think that is why it feels a little off when reading it today. The majority of us only know the Bible stories from TV or a preacher at church. Very few people are well versed in the Bible any more including the denunciations that sit in church on Sunday mornings. There are outliers for sure but nothing like it was even just a few decades ago. That is my opinion though. So it may not hold much weight. Thanks for watching my friend!
@@The_Cause we’re about 1 1/2 years into it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Beyond all the problems with what they are pushing on children, I know I can simply give a superior education. This video shows some great points on how to do just that.
man that's a long video (and a good thing to watch for any of you scrolling the comments to verify that fact haha) run businesses, lead armies, and rule empires... all in a day's work "What did they have internally which I was lacking?" I like how you switched from internal spirit or mentality to the physicality of taking apart an animal "start the marathon off walking" there were some people from the time that believed in universal education who might be interesting to read about - like Comenius Do you have your kids read any strictly history books? or is it more like "A Street Through Time" (that shows a street over thousands of years)? it seems like you might prefer if subjects were taught in a more broad and multidisciplinary way so you might already have books like that more of a focus on the place between places and how to navigate through grey area with confidence while connecting the dots and enjoying it homeschooling sounds like one heck of a commitment... but it makes sense if Louisiana is as bad at public education as most people say it is do you do field trips to far away places like Lake Itasca so that the kids can see a river as it starts and ends? or do you focus more on how different cultures used deer? perhaps on how the deer affect the river? or maybe on how the river flows on land which was once at the bottom of the sea? I guess that's why you showed a homeschooling site for a second haha people will go crazy figuring out what to show first do we talk about local food like catfish and then transition into greek mythology when they get excited about an animal sounding like two different animals? or does that come with the risk of me accidentally explaining what catfishing is?
Thanks again, good sir. I love these. I’m currently reading the Confessions of Augustine on the 5foot Bookshelf “History” track that’s pointed out in the Index (book 50?). I look forward to your comments on that. :). And done worry about those who say these things are out of touch and not workable in modern times. It isn’t for them anyway. :/
Yes indeed! There are some books in the series I just want to skip to. I have to be patient and wait though. Really looking forward to St. Augustine as I have heard so much about his works. I appreciate the kind words and thanks so much for watching! Stay blessed!
So.. Milton's issue appears not to be with studying theology too young, but studying theology at all? At no point did you mention it as a subject, even when the students are older. This seems like a major shortfall.
I think he valued it. I may not have presented it accurately enough to capture his view on that. You may want to read the tractate and judge from your perspective. Truly appreciate you watching my friend and stay blessed!
Unfortunately Milton misses the mark quite a bit in this work. His proposed reforms to education were a step toward the eventual public school chattel curriculum. His curriculum sounds lovely at a glance, but it turns the tried and true classical curriculum on its head, where a grounding in reasoning and philosophy - which should be a student’s tools in the other subjects - is done away with, and they are instead put last.
Thinking back over the reading I can definitely see your point. I did not pick up on that. He did go into detail on the classroom and structure and it did have a compulsory education feel to it. Very good point to bring up and thanks so much for sharing it. Stay blessed my friend!
Curriculum is supposed to be set by local school districts. The state and federal governments have taken quite a bit of control, and corporations and NGOs have done a great deal to influence education towards creating worker bees. However, local districts can work to emphasize the Great Works, history, and building knowledge and skills towards building strong, well-rounded individuals and citizens. It can be done. Public education can be very strong if the community and parents expect, demand, and reinforce it with watchful eyes. The philosophy of the community needs to be geared towards building free people who are also able to uplift and maintain a strong and effective community.
I'm 29 years old and have never pursued a college degree. I work in sales. Ever since reverting back to my Traditional Catholic faith I've been feeling prompted to start reading the classics on the side.
The Traditional Catholic Church I attend has classical curriculum k-12, and the students are so articulate, joyful, and morally strong it's unbelievable. We've been robbed of thise beautiful education. I've been robbed.
Currently looking at Memoria Press and their Masters in Arts program for Adults. Also, Hillsdale College has free online courses. I know this will be an endeavor worth pursuing. Good luck all.
Hillsdale has some amazing online courses. They have done a great job at creating high quality video content that is easy and enjoyable to consume. I would love to visit that place one day. I feel your journey my friend! I do not think you will regret reading the classics. Stay blessed my friend!
I too attend TLM! I’m overjoyed you discovered this in your youth, I’m in my 50’s and just realized how dumbed down I’ve allowed myself to become with decaying worldly things and how much of the Mass they watered down. Sancte Michael, defende nos in proelio. Great informative videos Mr. Pirie, thank you!
Also read about John Dewey and his opposition to classical education. He was a key player in creating the system we have now that favors conformity and obedience rather than thinking skills and the Great Conversation. His view on education became the prevailing view, That citizens should be prepared as workers Rather than individuals and thinkers.
Yes, this is correct!
Both E. D. Hirsch and Mortimer Adler, two proponents of classical-esque knowledge-rich education, indicate that the followers of Dewey were most troublesome. Hirsch has noted that Dewey did say contradictory things in his extensive writings, but it was his followers, like Kilpatrick, that caused problems by, it seems, not carefully considering Dewey's ideas. Dewey did want all Americans to have access to an equally excellent education that would not only prepare us to participate in self-governance but to also educate people to being well-rounded and fully developed as individuals able to be engaged in a free society. As Hirsch and Adler are able to keep the wheat and blow the chaff away, perhaps elements of Dewey, the best that promotes the greatest development of people, can be retained and combined with the best of Charlotte Mason, Hirsch, Adler, Postman, and Susan Wise Bauer.
I think you are mistaken that Dewey wanted people to be prepared to be workers. Adler notes Dewey's view was to educate all people to be able to participate fully as citizens--to have the knowledge and skills necessary for this responsibility.
He wanted people to be well-educated as individuals, too--to educate "the man", the person, not just a worker or citizen.
Blow away the chaff for there is some good to retain.
@@emilymiller1792 Among others, Christopher Dawson writes extensively about Dewey's philosophy of progressive pragmatism and how it reshaped modern education. The writing was on the the wall despite the good intentions. There are quite a few critics among the fans.
I hate John Dewey
Rob, All these videos are GREAT. Please be encouraged, and continue ‘the cause’. It is a noble and necessary one.
We too are homeschooling our children now. Better education than I ever received as a child by far. Your children are worth the effort. So keep it up, War Fighter.
Lastly, to anyone wondering, yes Cedar Ota coffee is delicious. I’m burning through two bags now and will have more on the way! Give it a try if you’ve been on the fence about it. You won’t regret it.
Dude thanks so much for the feedback and support! We also reallybenjoybhomeschooling and I am fortunate enough to have a wife that is willing to do it and put in the time. Truly wish the best for you and hope you enjoyed the coffee! As always, stay blessed my friend!
@@The_Cause I did, truly. It’s great. Ordering more.
I homeschool and we are a Memoria Press family, I am very grateful that I am getting a classical education redo alongside my children. I also inherited the Harvard classics series (first editions!) from my mom, who inherited from her grandmother who attended college when she was 16. I’m thinking I might want to get another set that’s not so precious!
That’s so awesome you have a set with history. I have marked up my best very heavily but I would feel the same if it was passed down through the family. As for Memoria Press, I actually just got the Prima Latin for myself as well as my daughter so I can learn with her. How long have you been using Memoria Press?
We've been with MP for about 5 years now and I have complete curriculum peace with them! Prima Latina is great, do you watch the streaming video? Leigh Lowe is such a good teacher. @@The_Cause
Classical Education Homeschool program is also a way to teach in a classical style!
For those who think the past has little to nothing to teach us, just ask yourself this: Do you want to think for yourself and decide what is best for your life or do you want the to be told what to do and follow the path set for you by strangers? If you answer yes to the first, I suggest you take the time and learn from history and all the great thinkers of the past and present! Otherwise you are simply fooling yourself into thinking you are independent and the master of your own universe!
What a great point and put so simple. Thanks for sharing. I feel this is a struggle of mine personally that I am trying to correct late in life. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!
I have been obsessed with classical education for several years. My kids are both in their 4th year of Memoria Press. How have I not found your channel sooner?! Absolutely what I need to help me dive deeper.
The great ideas by Mortimer Adler is gold for anyone interested in reading the Great Books
th-cam.com/video/mpL-Xugdh3Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=AmfyrMXkNRCC4R2z
th-cam.com/video/i7P_5XdCBHM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Jj5PkKmBS0N-LhN7
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Dude these are awesome! I have listened to some of Adler's interviews but I never found these on TH-cam. Truly appreciate you sharing. Stay blessed my friend!
A powerful and relevant quote: “the way the youth are currently education leads them to hate the concept of learning…”
After taking a chance on an Amazon 3rd party seller, I received my Harvard Classics 22 volume Deluxe Edition published in 1969 for $140. They are in excellent condition and have the dark green cover with gold lettering.
I started book 1: Franklin, Woolman & Penn. My Classical Liberal Arts self-study endeavor begins.
Nice!!! Glad to hear you had a good set. It’s always sketchy ordering used stuff online. I got lucky my set was in decent shape. I love the look of the dark green edition. Beautiful set. I truly appreciate you following along and stay blessed brother!
@@The_Cause the dark green books do look nice. I will use your video book reviews as motivation. In between classwork I find some time to read them. I’m reading it slow for comprehension, making notes (in pencil), and treat it like a course that requires in-class discussion. Thanks again for the inspiration.
As someone who went through a classical education in europe. The value of knowing what has come before and why, especially through language, as greek gives you a perspective on latin, so where you once struggled in latin, you now struggle in greek, but understand latin and why you struggle in greek.
You learn a lot about the structure of grammar and it has given me a lot of knowledge and tools for uni and work. It still has a lot of value.
I am glad to hear that. I want to eventually tackle Latin and have a good grasp of it. Truly hope you have a blessed day and thanks the info!
@@The_Cause Latin is actually fun to learn because it's completed and limited, yet you see the roots everywhere. Treat it like a decoding game with your textbook as a deciphering manual.
I plan to learn with my kids. I am excited to see how useful it will be. Thanks for the info!
@@The_Cause A fun resource to start with: English from the Roots Up.
Εύγε!
I was homeschooled, but not classically, and there are huge holes in my literary education in particular. (balanced I supposed by the aspects of homeschooling that are inherently more beneficial than traditional schooling, particularly in that I got a lot more of that practical life experience that you mentioned). My boys, however, are going to a classical school and I have taught at a classical school for the majority of my adult life (currently I teach music). I think there are inherent and unavoidable drawbacks in any school setting, and you alluded to them (being in the box for 12+years), even a classical one, but all the same, it's a huge improvement over what they would have otherwise and I'm so grateful to give them this opportunity. Classical education today is only a fraction of what Milton describes, but we certainly try! The arts, the Latin, the study of ancient cultures and their writings and their laws, the great works of literature throughout time... my boys are learning all of that and I'm so thankful! My goal is to read everything with my high school son (he's a freshman now) in his literature classes that I haven't yet read, so I can fill in those holes in my education. Plus, you've inspired me to read these Harvard classics. It will take me time, but I'm thinking this one might be a good place to start, as a classical educator!
I love hearing your perspective on how you are schooling your kids. We looked for a classical school but none are close to our area. This is our first year homeschooling so we are just trying the Memoria Press curriculum and just experimenting to see what is best at the moment. I am kind of looking forward to the day they can read some of these books so I can discuss them. Right now we are at the basics. In this day and age we just have to find what works best and use the resources around us. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!
Completely encouraging and inspiring. Im 42 and I’m getting obsessed lately about self education. I too feel like public school failed me in a lot of ways but mostly in learning to love learning. Sure I learned the basics and I got a job that pays well, but I feel I’ve missed out on a lot of richness in life bc I left my school years hating education.
You and I both. That "hate" for education is such a common thing with many of our generations that I do not see prior to the 1900s. My uncles and older men used to always hate on school and just talked about work. But I agree with you. So much joy in life comes from self-education and learning to love what is just and beautiful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and watching my friend!
I had a classical education until 3rd grade and it was out of this world! I highly recommend it for everyone at all ages! We had gymnastics upto 3 times a day.
Your works and thoughts are quite relevant. I am an educational psychologist who was influenced as a teenager by Milton’s work. Our four children were homeschooled, and six of our grandchildren are homeschooled. The purpose of education, as is the purpose of life, is to glorify God.
What an encouraging comment in many ways. We are elbows deep in starting the homeschool process and it has been tough but enjoyable and rewarding. This series is kind of a byproduct of that. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
The knowledge that ypu are painstakingly sharing with the whole world is priceless. I truly appreciate the effort you are putting in each of the videos. Great content! May God Bless you and Mary keep you.
Thank you so much! I truly enjoy making these videos and have learned so much the burden seems to be well worth it. I truly appreciate you watching and hope you stay blessed as well!
Awesome review and commentary.
Two things I would accent the conversation with. 1) physical education has the added benefit of restructuring the brain. The idea of the bookish nerd vs the jock is a modern characature. 2) Reviewing the basics is a lifelong task, and repeadted work of fundamentals is the path to mastery. In our progress based novelty loving society we crave the novel all too much. A strong blade is made thru annealing and pounding over and over.
Love the channel. Keep on keepin on!
Love these two perspectives. Building and strengthening that solid foundation has been something I realized is very important in almost every aspect of life. Thanks for watching and stay blessed my friend!
Thankfully my parents did a lot of after school education. I learned Latin, Spanish for extra reading. My dad taught me basics of mechanic work and woodworking. I agree.l with Milton, if you have resources a class education is under valued in modern day life.
That’s awesome. We are currently trying to figure all that out for our kids. My wife is teaching them Spanish and we are going to try and introduce Latin next year. Do you feel it was worth the time invested?
ethos pathos logos all in check in the review, man. This series is great and seeing the community grow is great, too. "The Love of Virtue" that's the hardest concept. Same w the definition, Love and virtue are defined by their practice. Great episode.
Truly appreciate the feedback and I am glad to hear you enjoyed it. I need to familiarize myself with the three concepts you mentioned more. They seem to show up often in these old texts. Stay blessed my friend!
What book would you like me to cover first?
“How to Read a Book” by Adler or “Weapons of Mass Instruction” by Gatto? Let me know down below!
I'd vote for Adler since my kids are struggling through book reports right now, thanks!
I read Adler years ago, but I'm not familiar w Gatto. One thing from Adler's book that I often refer to is his reading list in the back of the book. It's packed full of great works.
Adler's How to Read a Book changed my reading life completely. I'm very interested in hearing what you think about it. Your viewers would benefit from learning about it too I'm sure. Fantastic book.
Neil Postman's The End of Education is excellent.
I'll say Adler
Thanks for producing this series, Rob!. Kudos to you for being so self examined and open to improvement. We should all do this a little more often. And thank you for taking everyone on this journey as you talk through what you are learning.. This series has become a nightly ritual as I wind down for the day.
That’s so awesome to hear and I truly appreciate the kind words. This series has been a joy to create and I am not planning on stopping anytime soon. Stay blessed my friend!
As a first generation classical homeschooler I appreciate this so much! We are 10 years into this and I can tell you that this kind of education is achievable- not perfectly of course, only Christ is perfect, but I have found a community who is as passionate about this as I am.
That’s so awesome to hear. We are in our first year and it has been quite the struggle to find a good program, understand all this classical stuff, and then decide on what is best for the kids. Glad to hear from others who are ahead in this journey. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!
This is some of the best content that I’ve enjoyed in TH-cam in a long while. I almost feel uncomfortable calling it mere “content” because it is so thoughtful and inspiring. Thanks for what you do!
Glad you enjoyed it! Really appreciate the feedback and thanks so much for watching! Stay blessed my friend!
I reflect on homeschooling alot and I came to the conclusion that it has a very big disadvantage
although our current schooling system isn't ideal but I'd say, it is pretty ideal because anyone who finishes it, they now have the requirements for self study, so the school doesn't offer much about daily lives but it makes us people who can venture out and self study
but I'd still say to have children being educated to some amount at home during their school life, like about ethics, logic, and stuff
This is a great video. Thanks a lot!
From India 🇮🇳
No problem! Truly appreciate you watching!
I have just subscribed.:I don't know how your channel came up in my feed, but this is total pleasure for me. Thank you for doing what you do.
No problem at all! I am happy to have you here and welcome aboard. I think you will enjoy the little community we are creating here. Thanks for watching and stay blessed!
Loving this journey!
Glad to hear! Thanks so much for watching!
This is one of the best series on classical education I've seen
Oh wow thanks so much! I truly appreciate hearing that. I really enjoy making these video and if people continue to enjoy this series then I will continue to put them out. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!
I’ve not read Milton’s piece but I can tell from your description it’s much more interesting and thorough than Dorothy Sayer’s speech that is referenced (too) often these days. I’ll look this up, thank you for covering this.
Milton is honestly what I think a true classical education entails. The problem is, as you saw, it would literally take most of your day and night to complete at the level he is referring to. Locke has a good piece on education as well. Both Locke's and Milton's are short reads. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!
Look into Classical Conversations
Just went down the rabbit hole. Very good recommendation. They have a rep in my area I am going to reach out to. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!
Cant wait for you to read Vol. 10 with Adam Smith, the comment section will be a firestorm. Classical economists got more right than they'd know
I can’t wait to review that one as well. My degree is in Finance so I am looking forward to seeing how much was left out of my college education. Haha truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!
Excellent video. And inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks so much for watching! Stay blessed!
thank you for these videos on classical education.
personally, i think all these knowledge is more relevant than ever before. God wants us to be free and to be humbled and it is my belief that as we read the classic and the scriptures we learn to have a better relationship with our creator.
Most definitely. I did not realize when starting this how relevant it all still would be. Sad we have grown a way from this knowledge over time.
Outstanding! And Milton's notions for a proper education seem more than relevant for today.
Yes indeed. The more I read these old works the more I realize just how relevant they still are. Thanks for watching my friend!
I agree that reading the biographies of the founders is so important. This series is beautiful. I’m sad that I can only like it once.
Haha thanks so much! The biographies of the founders have been a huge part of my reading list over the past few years. It may sound weird but personalities have formed for all the major characters and even minor ones like John Marshall, Hale, and Arnold. The personality of each grows every time I read a new story on them. Thanks for watching my friend!
I enjoyed Washington,a life by Ron Chernow, if you haven’t read it.
i find it crazy how there's a growing sentiment against a school-based approach, as i have seen schools near me try their best to adapt, and seek answers that are now more diverse instead of hinging on rote learning. then i realize what i'm seeing is specific to my country, and complaints on schools seem to be coming from elsewhere. no idea where, but elsewhere.
What country are you in?
Thank you so much 😎
Great Summary!
No problem at all! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!
I feel like Duck Dynasty is my professor and I'm more excited than my actual professors. Lead the way, Rob!
Haha that’s hilarious. Had to tell my wife that one. She got a chuckle. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!
9:33 "...and men of experience succeed even better than those who have theory without experience" Aristotle, Metaphysics
Love that! I need to explore that book one day. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
@@The_Cause I truly appreciate your job with this serie of videos, so I thank you too. For Aristotle, I recommend you to get a book called The Basic Works of Aristotle, an anthology organized by Richard McKeon. Excellent work, with the help of a lot of good translators.
I used to want to learn a lot of things and I spent a lot of time on that but now after I learned a lot about the world and that there’s nothing new under the sun, I just want to work hard and in my free time just sit around and play music and drink 😂. Politics doesn’t matter anymore to me, knowing everything doesn’t matter, because it’s all out of my control. It would be great if I prayed a little more 🙏🏻
Everyone is wired different for sure. I truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed my friend!
I'm in the same situation. Just retired early but plan on working again.
But, taking the next 8 months off. Finally learning to play guitar and in lieu of beer I smoke cigars and good pipe tobacco.
I know what it feels like to think "I've seen this before. But nobody will listen to my arguments, so I'm just going to sit back for a while.:
My best.
Compared to current so called education, what you pointed out is light years beyond the system.
Yes indeed. The amount of discipline and focus is just not there anymore for this type of curriculum to currently exist. Thanks for watching my friend!
So good, so good
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!
I was homeschooled for essentially 1st grade through 5th grade. I was read tolkien early on to get me interested in literature and also had more exposure to geography and using globes. Would definitely partially attribute that to some of my success later in public school
That’s cool to hear. I love hearing the perspectives from you that were homeschooled. I can’t wait to read Tolkien with mine when they get older. Thanks for watching my friend!
interesting. Subscribed
Welcome aboard my friend! Truly happy to have you here and hope you enjoy. Stay blessed!
@@The_Cause thanks. By the way, where did you buy these books?
I purchased them of Facebook marketplace. I paid $375. I had to wait a bit to find a deal close enough to me.
I'm so happy to hear of the success of the channel! I think that speaks to your skills as a teacher coupled with the need and desire for the material you are covering. Onward and upward!
Thanks so much David! I have really been enjoying this series. I hate to say it but I would almost give up the coffee business to continue making them (Not giving up coffee though). I have really learned a lot so far and the community forming is really nice. Hope all has been well brother and stay blessed!
@@The_Cause The Cause is important, but coffee is importanter 🙃
The Great Conversation, in the words of Hutchins, would solve our problems in our democracy if people were educated in the classics instead of hollow textbooks and opinions of teachers. The first volume in the 1950s edition of the Great Books of the Western World slapped me across the face, made much sense to the problem of our country and the West.
I checked out that intro and I think I am going to do video review on it down the road. Spot on argument in my opinion. Thanks so much for sharing!
1. I am finally caught up with this series and wow am I enjoying it!
2. Thank you for the amazing PNG coffee that I just received. Feeling very blessed!
3. I just bought my own copy of the HC series because of this channel. I have always enjoyed reading philosophy, theology, and classics and I hope to read along with you as I am able.
Thanks for all that you do.
I am truly happy that people are enjoying this series and finding value in it. Nothing better to hear than that. As for the coffee I truly appreciate you ordering. For some reason coffee just tastes better when paired with a good book! Curious to know which set you were able to get?
@@The_Cause Harvard Classics, The Five Foot Shelf of Books, volumes 1 thru 50 plus lectures. 1909-1910
The spine says PF Collier and Sons.
I should receive them Monday in the mail, but they are a dark read volume due to the older printing. Not the shiny nice ones you have 😄
#7:00 agree with you there mate, I was never interested in any academic studies even in school and now I regret it but I'm grateful that the love of education enter my heart a few years ago because of one enlighten individual in our modern age, I'd agrue he's currently the most intelligent person living in the west, even above jp, but hey that's just my thoughts 😅 -Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
This is an important and underrated channel. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! I really enjoy making these so I am not stopping anytime soon. Truly appreciate you watching!
Thanks!
Thank you so much!! I truly appreciate the support my friend! Really means a lot! I hope you have a great week and stay blessed!
This video invigorated me with such a wish to learn that I just went and bought all of Plato's writings in Ancient Greek and Cicero's speeches in Latin. Now for reading them... 😅
Haha yes indeed. Do you know both Greek and Latin? If so that is awesome.
Beatiful review. I appreciate your content!
Thanks so much! It’s nice to hear that. This series has been a pleasure to make. Thanks for watching!
Memoria Press is amazing!
Have you used it for very long? This is our first year. So far we enjoy it. @memoriapress
@@The_Cause I used it k-2 and it was wonderful. However, we are Catholic and I really wanted our curriculum to be overtly Catholic (mainly seeing history through a Catholic lens and not a Protestant one) and I didn’t want to piece things together, that’s too much work for a busy mother. Although, I think MP is extremely Catholic friendly (since the founder was Catholic). I still marvel over MP catalogs and watch their TH-cam. It’s definitely top notch in my opinion.
I listen to their TH-cam podcast from time to time as well. They keep it fun, classy and informative which is nice!
When the "Ten Camandments" flashed across the screen, I saw the most common 😳 error. The line should actually read; "Thou shalt not murder".
Which ment "to lie in wait and shed innocent blood."
To kill in defense of self, family and tribe was, indeed, authorized and expected.
Yes, it took me years of study before I uncovered this truth !
Love & appreciate your channel, Rob! Hope you’ll cover The Great Books too. ❤
I purchased a set a couple months ago. I will definitely be venturing into them later down the road. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed buddy!
This is such a fun breakdown and an exciting series! Keep going!
p.s. thanks for the shoutout :)
Hey! I’m glad you enjoyed it! This series has been a blast to create. I recently picked up “A Defense of Classical Education” by Livingston from Memoria Press awhile back and it is going to be the first book I cover in a new series I am starting this summer. My kids use your programs and I love the podcast you guys put out. Please keep up the great work as well. I feel Memoria and Hillsdale are the tip of the spear leading this movement and I just want to be here on the flanks in support. Stay blessed my friends!
Rob,
Thank you for posting your thoughts on Milton's Tractate on Education. I've yet to read it but your presentation has certainly piqued my interest. I'm also happy see that the book is influencing the way you go about educating your children. I myself homeschooled my son for a bit. He is special needs though, high-functioning autism, and a few years ago I found an appropriate school setting for him so he's there now. While he definitely needs specialized instruction, I still tutor him after school, focusing on the great books and the sciences.
At any rate, when you described how Tractate on Education is a letter Milton wrote to an acquaintance I couldn't help but think of John Locke's A New Method of Making Commonplace Books. It's a long letter Locke wrote to an acquaintance about how to properly build a commonplace book. If you don't know what a commonplace book is please see the attached link below. The type of reading you engage in would benefit greatly from keeping a commonplace book. I keep one and doing so, coupled with Adler and Van Doren's method of reading in How to Read a Book, I find that I retain much more information than my peers when I read a book.
Can't wait for the next video. Take care!
curiosity.lib.harvard.edu/reading/catalog/42-990033581460203941
Thank you so much for the info! I have heard so many people refer to the common place book and I just need to take some time and dig into it. So, thanks so much for sharing that. I truly appreciate you watching and hope you stay blessed!
Love ending the day with the Bible. It indeed resets the mind.
Yes indeed! A few proverbs to set your mind right before starting the next day. Thanks for watching!
I appreciate your drive and willingness to provide this content, Thank you. May God shine His face upon you, bless you, and keep you. Continue the battle and journey, dear friend.
Thank you so much for the kind words! It honestly is a joy to hear. Thanks so much for watching!
This channel is awesome
Glad to hear you enjoy! I truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed my friend!
"The doing is just as important as the studying"
The Epictetus comes back around. Lol. It also reminds me of some of Montaignes sentiments on education. I have not read Locke's "Some Thoughts Concerning Education" but I suspect he shares some sentement with this as well.
I am looking forward to reading Locke's work on education. I would like to see how they compare. And yes I feel Epictetus, with all his punchy wisdom, makes an appearance in most of the volumes. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
I really enjoy your videos. Thanks for making them. I think you do a great job summarizing the texts you discuss in a easy to follow manner.
Truly appreciate hearing that as it means a lot. This series has been a joy to make. Thanks for watching my friend!
Glad I found this channel
I am glad you did as well! Happy to have you on board my friend!
Phenomenal series keep these up.
Thanks so much! Truly appreciate you watching!
Lots of great stuff and insights here! The emhpasis on virtue is so cruical, and it is truly refreshing to hear someone talk about academic work as a virtuous and manly enterprise, in contrast with the laxed and effeminate attitutide which is so widespread today, turning boys away from the noble goals of true education.
There's one thing, however, that I don't think makes any sense in Milton's course. And it is placing logic last. Correct reasoning is the key to all science, without which one cannot possibly reach certainty of truth that is the hallmark of science, leaving us back in socratic agnosticism. Is not this to put the cart before the horse?
It may have been how I included it in the video. I don’t know if he was rigid in the order in which he was throwing it out. Some things he did as bit I think it was implied that grammar would be first, logic next through history and agricultural science and then rhetoric and defense of argument once they started to get into the more debatable topics of philosophy. The more I think about this curriculum the more I feel it was just a quick outline on a topic he had discussed with his friend in depth before. Some things may have been implied in the letter that we are not privy to knowing. That’s my view on it. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!
Maybe it's just me, but I really enjoyed seeing the quotes on the actual paper of the books in the early videos. For me, for some reason, it appeals more to the imagination, or better reflects the eternity of wisdom.
I’m glad you said that. I may start doing that again. I liked it as well. It was just hard to point out where I was starting. I may find a better method for that in the future videos. Thanks for the feedback!
@@The_Cause great channel by the way!
Amazing video, thank you for the good work
No problem my friend! I am glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
Excellent! Excellent! Thank you.
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for tuning in! Stay blessed!
Great video, I had to subscribe. I look forward to watching the entire catalog of your videos.
Thanks so much brother! I truly hope you enjoy them. Stay blessed!
John Adams is a good book. But, I would like to suggest John Quincy Adams by Unger. Milton ends the day with scripture? I start the day with scripture. My time seems more organized when I do it this way. My son, however, does end his day with scripture. Another book you might enjoy is Rush: Revolution, Madness, and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father by Stephen Fried. Neuroscientist are just now starting to acknowledge that food affects our brains, for good or bad and I could go on and on about the topic of gluttony in many forms. Weapons of Mass Instruction is a good book. Homeschooling is amazing!
John Quincey by Unger was an amazing book. After reading it I would have to say that John Quincey is probably one of the most learned men we have ever had in our political system. I loved how he fought for what he believed in and as I traveled down the journey with him I just realized how lucky a life to be born a the time he was, to the parents he had (Abigail as a mom), and then get to experience all those things as a young boy. I guess it could be a curse too. I have read a book or two on Rush but I will have to check that one out. I just finished the book Nathan Hale by William Phelps and I can not tell you how much I loved it. It is not too long of a read. He had a rather short life though. Thanks so much for watching and sharing some reads with me. Stay blessed!
@@The_Cause yes about Unger's book and yes about your thoughts on JQA. I'm adding Nathan Hale by William Phelps to my tbr. Thank you for sharing that with me. Standing firm in God's word. Thank you brother in Christ. Blessings to you and your family.
Nice Video
Thanks my friend!
What is the name of the painting at 3:32-3:36 and the artist who painted it?
It is by Hendrick Aerts from 1602 and it is an imaginary renaissance palace. So, I think it was just a conceptual painting from the period. Thanks for watching my friend!
Even though I am a traditional school teacher but my wife homeschools our kids. I would never hand them over to the Dewey educational system
I concur with that. Luckily my wife is willing and able to homeschool as well. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!
Also, Rob I don't know if this is a decent place to ask but on the chance that you read this, is there any physical location in the BR area that I might be able to buy some of your coffee directly? I would love to try some but shipping seems pretty inefficient if I could just drive out a bit and pick it up instead.
Beignets of Baton Rouge off of Coursey stocks my coffee. I am not sure how much they have left though. I can check next time I am there. Thanks for watching my friend!
Wow! this is relevant more than ever, keep up on the great job!
Will do my friend! I truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!
Where can anyone get this set? Amazon? Is there another option?
I purchased my set off of Facebook marketplace for $375. I had to look for a while to find a deal. There might be a few sets on eBay. Good luck on your search!
Where can I get these Harvard classics? I would like them on my bookshelf
I found my set on Facebook marketplace. Took me a few months to find a good deal and a set close to me. I am sure they are on eBay as well. Just for transparency I paid $375 for my set.
@@The_Cause Thank you, I found a set for 650$ but I will continue to scout for better deals, but also save up money just in case I can’t find anything else
If I see a set not getting sold I do not mind throwing out a price I am willing to pay. There are not many buyers for this type of set so if a seller is presented with an opportunity they may go ahead and agree on your price you offer. That is what I did. They came down no questions.
I bought a set off Etsy this week for $250 that I stumbled upon. I have seen several sets around the Ballpark of $400 on Ebay as I have looked.
Its fascinating Milton recommends so many Greeks and Romans but essentially no authors other than Scripture, from the first 1500 years of Christendom.
I think it was expected, even up until very recent, that most would already have a solid foundation and grasp of the scripture. In my opinion it is not that it was left out, but that it was a prerequisite before ever even starting his plan. I feel the same way about the Harvard Classics. Elliot compiled the books and it seems with the intention that you already have a very solid grasp with the works of the Bible. I think that is why it feels a little off when reading it today. The majority of us only know the Bible stories from TV or a preacher at church. Very few people are well versed in the Bible any more including the denunciations that sit in church on Sunday mornings. There are outliers for sure but nothing like it was even just a few decades ago. That is my opinion though. So it may not hold much weight. Thanks for watching my friend!
Another great review. I'd love to discuss homeschooling with you somehow if you have time.
Thanks so much my friend. I am very new to homeschooling as this is our first year. I would probably have more questions than anything! Haha
@@The_Cause we’re about 1 1/2 years into it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Beyond all the problems with what they are pushing on children, I know I can simply give a superior education. This video shows some great points on how to do just that.
man that's a long video (and a good thing to watch for any of you scrolling the comments to verify that fact haha)
run businesses, lead armies, and rule empires... all in a day's work
"What did they have internally which I was lacking?"
I like how you switched from internal spirit or mentality to the physicality of taking apart an animal
"start the marathon off walking"
there were some people from the time that believed in universal education who might be interesting to read about - like Comenius
Do you have your kids read any strictly history books? or is it more like "A Street Through Time" (that shows a street over thousands of years)?
it seems like you might prefer if subjects were taught in a more broad and multidisciplinary way so you might already have books like that
more of a focus on the place between places and how to navigate through grey area with confidence while connecting the dots and enjoying it
homeschooling sounds like one heck of a commitment... but it makes sense if Louisiana is as bad at public education as most people say it is
do you do field trips to far away places like Lake Itasca so that the kids can see a river as it starts and ends? or do you focus more on how different cultures used deer? perhaps on how the deer affect the river? or maybe on how the river flows on land which was once at the bottom of the sea?
I guess that's why you showed a homeschooling site for a second haha
people will go crazy figuring out what to show first
do we talk about local food like catfish and then transition into greek mythology when they get excited about an animal sounding like two different animals? or does that come with the risk of me accidentally explaining what catfishing is?
I love your comments. Just enough criticism, humor, and sarcasm to keep my spirits up! Haha truly appreciate you watching my friend!
@@The_Cause this comment went a bit off the rails but I'm glad you liked it lol
I don't want to come off as pretentious but Goethe is pronounced "Geh-tuh" not "Go-eth". German doesn't contain the Theta phoneme.
I truly appreciate the correction. Nothing pretentious about it at all. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!
@@The_Cause Glad to have watched. I appreciate classical education and the great works of the Western world. Keep up the great work, friend.
Will do brother!
Dorothy Sayers wrote an essay influenced by Milton's tract.
I am going to have to look that up! Thanks for sharing!
Duck Dynasty meets Milton.
haha that is hilarious! I have not heard that one yet but I can't deny the fit. Thanks so much for watching and have a blessed Christmas!
Dilly Dally-shilly-shally?
(FF7 Reference)
No dilly on that dally. Milton was anchors up full steam ahead me lad.
Thanks again, good sir. I love these. I’m currently reading the Confessions of Augustine on the 5foot Bookshelf “History” track that’s pointed out in the Index (book 50?). I look forward to your comments on that. :). And done worry about those who say these things are out of touch and not workable in modern times. It isn’t for them anyway. :/
Yes indeed! There are some books in the series I just want to skip to. I have to be patient and wait though. Really looking forward to St. Augustine as I have heard so much about his works. I appreciate the kind words and thanks so much for watching! Stay blessed!
Do you still believe college holds value or is self-education the way to go? If college is still worth it, where?
switch the intro music to metal.
Na I’m good… thanks for watching!
So.. Milton's issue appears not to be with studying theology too young, but studying theology at all? At no point did you mention it as a subject, even when the students are older. This seems like a major shortfall.
I think he valued it. I may not have presented it accurately enough to capture his view on that. You may want to read the tractate and judge from your perspective. Truly appreciate you watching my friend and stay blessed!
Unfortunately Milton misses the mark quite a bit in this work. His proposed reforms to education were a step toward the eventual public school chattel curriculum. His curriculum sounds lovely at a glance, but it turns the tried and true classical curriculum on its head, where a grounding in reasoning and philosophy - which should be a student’s tools in the other subjects - is done away with, and they are instead put last.
Thinking back over the reading I can definitely see your point. I did not pick up on that. He did go into detail on the classroom and structure and it did have a compulsory education feel to it. Very good point to bring up and thanks so much for sharing it. Stay blessed my friend!
Curriculum is supposed to be set by local school districts. The state and federal governments have taken quite a bit of control, and corporations and NGOs have done a great deal to influence education towards creating worker bees. However, local districts can work to emphasize the Great Works, history, and building knowledge and skills towards building strong, well-rounded individuals and citizens.
It can be done. Public education can be very strong if the community and parents expect, demand, and reinforce it with watchful eyes. The philosophy of the community needs to be geared towards building free people who are also able to uplift and maintain a strong and effective community.