Why Classical?

Salvete omnes!

It is a true pleasure to make your acquaintance and thank you dearly for subscribing to The Lyceum Letters. It appears we already have a sizeable audience within our virtual courtyard, but as fate would have it, the walls can be expanded infinitely! Just for a little refresher before we begin the lecture, I want to take a moment to reaffirm the meaning behind this space. The Lyceum Letters is a substack dedicated to exploring the principles and practices of classical education. My mission here is to promote the renewal of classical education by providing insights, resources, and inspiration to parents, teachers, and students who seek to cultivate the life of the mind and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.

These first few letters will be of the introductory variety and I think it is important we begin at the beginning. Last time we gathered I went through a definition of terms, which you can review here.

Now that the terms have been defined and the stage has been set, I now prefer to answer this one question : Why classical education?

Answer :

A classical education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue by means of the seven liberal arts and four sciences. This educational model aims to create a well-rounded student with a logical mind and a virtuous heart. Classical educational curriculum and philosophy is built around the marble pillar of Western traditional canon. The education that the Lyceum Letters is devoted to instills in pupils factual knowledge while training minds, both young and old to logically analyze these facts. Yes, the student learns things, but most importantly people are taught HOW to think, not simply what to think. A classical education gives individuals the tools to be coherent, thoughtful, eloquent, and reasoned human beings who ground themselves in virtue - specifically in this case, Christian virtue.

The emphasis here is on mastery of subjects, not of effort. Here, we will strive for excellence in everything. Acquiring knowledge is of high value. Instead of passing tests, the higher aim is to create ideal citizens and most importantly to obtain truth.

The roots of classical education began in the time of Plato and Aristotle. Contrary to popular opinion, this tradition matured and flourished in the Middle Ages and was the predominant form of education for even the Founders of America. Trends come and go, but the classical model has proven to be timeless. If you were ever wondering how children were educated before the American public school system took hold, this is the answer. A Classical education is still and will always remain relevant, tried and true.

A Classical education has distinguishing marks;

A “back to basics” approach - One cannot master a subject unless there is a goal of building a strong foundation for such knowledge. Classical education emphasizes rich literature, a deep understanding of history, the vital importance of math and sciences, a significant appreciation of the beauty within art and music and most important of all, building and maintaining the contents of character accompanied with nourishment of the soul.

Within the classical model, there is a direct focus on direct instruction. Technology does not take the place of instruction or instructors. Teaching facts and directing students with logical questioning are guiding principles for the classroom structure. A teacher does not rely on worksheets. Students must be taught to think and answer in complete sentences. Again, classical education strives for mastery, not for completion purposes. The aim is to have the knowledge being taught become a part of the very fibers of being for the pupil.

A Focus on Moral Virtue - Virtue is paramount. Practicing virtue is the key to happiness. Classical education is anchored in four ancient or “cardinal” virtues.

• temperance

• prudence

• fortitude

• justice

Humans must learn truth, do good and love what is beautiful. Virtue should be taught at all stages of development. Through the study of literature and history, we see everlasting examples of both virtue and vice, which aid us in answering the question “how should I live?” Virtue is something that must be modeled by teachers / parents and expected from pupils.

“To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Tried and True Curriculum - Classical education compiles the “best of the west”. Great men and women of history have specific character, ideas that should be taught and imitated. One becomes great by studying greatness and doing something about it. We read old books not because they are old, but because they are TIMELESS.

The Study of Latin- Much or our English language is rooted in Latin. The study of Latin increases vocabulary and grammar while improving writing and literacy. Strong knowledge in the language of Latin brings further understanding in math and science.

A Standard of Excellence - To stress this for the third time, Classical education emphasizes excellence in all areas. Excellence is the bar whether it is academic or behavioral. Once trained in the habit of excellence success follows in all areas.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

~ Aristotle

A Strong Civic Understanding - So where does all of this culminate? In the world, a classical education aims to create strong civic understanding and orients the man or woman toward heaven. To become virtuous and productive members of society, specifically in America, a pupil and their teachers must properly understand our nation’s founding principles - not only their concepts, but if they agree with them and in what degree.

Concepts : the free market, natural law, inalienable rights, and constitutional thought.

We should not only read our founding documents, but seek to understand them. Classical thinkers and Christians have a world view that may not match what we see in American society, nonetheless it is critical to both acknowledge and deeply understand American society and how it presently works.

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”

~ Thomas Jefferson

Cura ut valeas