The Aaron Renn Show
Classical Education's Civil War: Great Books vs Ancient Languages | Alex Petkas
Feb 3, 2025
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.
41:56
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Quick takeaways
- Alex Petkas argues for a return to traditional classical education by emphasizing the importance of mastering Greek and Latin over merely reading great books.
- The podcast highlights how reading Plutarch's Lives can foster character development and moral lessons that are essential for building effective leadership and virtue.
Deep dives
Critique of the Great Books Paradigm
Great books are often equated with classical education, but this connection is questioned. The emphasis on a canon of significant texts does not necessarily align with the principles of true classical education. The modern reliance on great books originated in the early 20th century and deviates from traditional classical education's focus on character development and personal virtues. This contemporary approach could lead to a misunderstanding of what constitutes a well-rounded education, as it tends to favor a superficial examination of texts over deeper mastery of foundational skills.
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