

Ep 403: Cultivating Wisdom: Andrew Kern on Classical Christian Education
Apr 25, 2025
Andrew Kern, President of the Circe Institute and a leader in classical education, shares his insights on rethinking learning. He contrasts traditional education's focus on job training with classical methods that prioritize wisdom and virtue. Kern emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the Socratic method in nurturing the soul. Reflective thought is presented as a pathway to intellectual and spiritual growth, preparing individuals for meaningful lives rather than just careers.
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Kern's Education Journey
- Andrew Kern shares a personal story about seeking educational alternatives for his son in 1993.
- His dissatisfaction with conventional education led him to homeschooling and classical education early in the movement.
True Purpose of Education
- Education traditionally means cultivating wisdom and virtue, not job training.
- Teaching language, history, and arts nurture humanity's unique traits beyond mere utility.
Classical Education's Aim
- Conventional education focuses on preparing students for jobs in a shifting economy.
- Classical education aims to cultivate self-governance so one can thrive beyond needing a job.