Through repentance one begins to learn the beauty of mathematics, and that process brings order and freedom. J.R.R. Tolkein said, “The essence of education is repentance.” It seems that, among other educational disciplines, the process of learning mathematics is uniquely humbling. One begins, teacher or student, with the humiliation of ignorance – I do not […]
Mathematics Coram Deo Read More »
Nautae caelum et terram vident is a humble Latin sentence. It means, “The sailors see the sky and the land.” It’s simple, yet it involves interconnecting thoughts and the ability to organize them in a systematic, coherent manner. This sentence is relatively complex in the knowledge and skills it requires. To translate it, you must
In Defense of Latin: Per Angusta ad Augusta Read More »
What is rhetoric? You’ve probably heard or thought of rhetoric as the art of persuasion. Fans of Aristotle will probably think of it as the art of finding the available means of persuasion. If you follow in the vein of Quintilian, you will probably think of it as the art of persuasion toward truth (and
Recovering the Humanity of Rhetoric Read More »
How His “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand” Captures the Post-War Struggle for Hope
The Colorful Music of Maurice Ravel Read More »
On July 18th I stopped contemplating Harmony with about 250 colleagues, friends, and kindred spirits. On the 22nd, I drove up to the University of Kentucky for a week of Latin immersion, and from August 3-7 I was immersed even more deeply into the love of truth-seeking that is the CiRCE Apprenticeship. After each, I
Theme and Variation Read More »
Aristotle once wrote that “It is the mark of an educated man to look for precision in each class of things just so far as the nature of the subject admits.” This is one of the most important principles of thought ever expressed – and one that has been almost universally neglected in our day,
The Mark of an Educated Man Read More »
I’ve encountered that moment in my conferencing preparations where I have to toss overboard most of my provisions so the fish can make use of them as they will. What better use for a blog, I thought to myself, before realizing how thoroughly I was insulting you. Sorry about that. But, incorrigible as I am,
Nine Throw-Away Ideas With Which to Think Read More »
