Roosevelt Montas, Director of the Freedom and Citizenship Program at Columbia University and author of "Rescuing Socrates," shares his insights on making classic literature engaging for children. He emphasizes how these timeless texts resonate with our humanity and can spark curiosity in young minds. Montas critiques modern children's literature, discusses the universal truths found in myths, and highlights the importance of liberal education in fostering a democratic society. His passion for storytelling and teaching shines through in this enlightening conversation.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Nurturing Curiosity
Follow children's natural curiosity to introduce them to complex topics.
Feed and enrich their curiosity instead of suppressing it.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Child's Curiosity
Montás's four-year-old son demonstrates an interest in complex concepts like death and the nature of mind.
Montás observes his son's curiosity without imposing adult interpretations, allowing the child's understanding to develop naturally.
insights INSIGHT
Classic Children's Books
Classic children's books possess a unique quality that resonates with kids across cultures and age groups.
Some books, like the classics, offer deeper meaning with each rereading.
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In *Rescuing Socrates*, Roosevelt Montás shares his personal journey of transformation through a liberal education, highlighting the impact of authors like Plato, Augustine, Freud, and Gandhi. The book argues for the enduring value of the Great Books in shaping lives, particularly for historically marginalized communities. Montás reflects on his experiences as an immigrant and educator, advocating for the importance of liberal arts in contemporary society.
On today’s episode of the podcast Ryan talks to author Roosevelt Montas about how to make philosophy and the classics accessible to young children, how the classics connect to something in our humanity, how the ancient texts connect children and adults the same, and more.
Roosevelt Montás is Director of the Freedom and Citizenship Program. He was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York as a teenager. Roosevelt specializes in Antebellum American literature and culture, with a particular interest in American national identity. He regularly teaches moral and political philosophy in the Columbia Core Curriculum as well seminars in American Studies. Roosevelt is the author of “Rescuing Socrates: How the Great Books Changed My Life and Why They Matter for a New Generation.”
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