Join Alex Petkas, a Princeton Classics PhD and host of the Cost of Glory podcast, as he dives into the hot debate over classical education. He challenges the Great Books model, arguing for a return to traditional training in Greek and Latin. Petkas highlights the profound influence of Plutarch's Lives on American history and champions the need for education that shapes character and moral values. He critiques modern leadership's disconnect from historical understanding and advocates for a richer, more holistic approach to classical studies.
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Great Books vs. Classical Education
Equating "Great Books" with classical education is increasingly common.
Alex Petkus argues this is a recent and flawed paradigm, distinct from true classical education.
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Great Books as a "Cope"
Alex Petkus calls Great Books education a "cope" for losing the culture war.
He believes it's a stop-gap solution for the decline of traditional education.
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Focus on Great Men
Classical education emphasizes "great men," not just "great books."
It focuses on language, persuasion, and embodying qualities of historical figures through mimesis.
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In this book, Pete Hegseth and David Goodwin argue that progressive ideologies have significantly impacted America's education system, leading to a decline in traditional values and academic performance. They contend that early progressives sought political control through education, replacing classical education with progressive ideals. The authors suggest that this has resulted in students who hate America, disdain religion, and lack basic reading and writing skills. They propose a return to classical Christian education as a solution to reverse these trends and restore the values that have sustained Western civilization. The book serves as a field guide for parents and educators to reform the education system and promote a philosophy of education grounded in virtue and excellence.
Plutarch's Lives
Plutarch
Plutarch's Lives, also known as Parallel Lives, is a collection of 48 biographies of notable men from ancient Greece and Rome. The work is structured in pairs, with one Greek and one Roman figure of similar destiny, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, or Demosthenes and Cicero. Plutarch's primary concern was not to write strict historical accounts but to explore the moral virtues and failings of his subjects, aiming to provide examples of conduct to imitate or avoid. The biographies are significant not only for their insight into the individuals but also for their historical value, offering a glimpse into the times in which they lived[2][3][5].
Princeton Classics PhD Alex Petkas argues against the "Great Books" model of classical education and makes the case for returning to traditional classical training focused on Greek and Latin languages. He explains why Plutarch's Lives was one of early America's most influential books and why it deserves renewed attention today.
Alex Petkas is host of the Cost of Glory podcast, exploring great thinkers and events in classical civilization.
Alex Petka's article in the American Mind: “Great Books” Is for Losers: https://americanmind.org/salvo/great-books-is-for-losers/
The Cost of Glory Podcast: https://www.costofglory.com/
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