Developing Classical Thinkers

The Creature from Jeykll Island is the United States Federal Reserve, created in a planning session amongst the United States’ top financial representatives on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The title comes from G. Edward Griffin's "The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve" and a similarly-themed Tuttle Twins book, "The Creature from Jekyll Island."In this session, Brian Balfour will examine a history of the U.S. Federal Reserve, its directives in maintaining employment and cofntrolling inflation, and the unintended and often very negative consequences of monetary policy and the role of central banks. Brian Balfour is Senior Vice President of Research for the John Locke Foundation, where he oversees the organization’s research and analysis on a variety of issues. He previously worked for the Civitas Institute for 13 years, and has a master’s degree in economics from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Apex Junior High-High School on October 7, 2022.

Epistemology is the area of philosophy that studies and evaluates how we come to form our beliefs and know things about the world. Historically, epistemology was studied as a private enterprise but today, particularly with social media, the task of gaining knowledge is a thoroughly social enterprise. In this lecture, Dr. Forrest examined four epistemic principles that correct false and destructive messages from our culture about how we gain knowledge and brainstorm ways to integrate these principles into the classroom. These principles, if grasped by middle and high schoolers, will go a long way in helping them navigate through an often confusing and hostile world, while confidently forming beliefs that align with the true, the good, and the beautiful.Peter Forrest, Ph.D., received his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Oxford in 2015, after having previously received a B.Phil. in philosophy from Oxford in 2011, a M.A. in philosophical theology from Yale University Divinity School in 2009, and a B.A. in English from Yale University in 2005. Dr. Forrest’s primary area of research has been in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science, and he has spent the past five years teaching undergraduates in the philosophy department at Auburn University. He is married and is father to two young children, and in his spare time he enjoys coaching his son’s soccer team. He serves as the Dean of Humanities for Thales College.This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Apex Junior High-High School on October 7, 2022.

In this session, Matt Ogle will offer a sample lesson plan and resources and explain the pedagogical means by which the sciences, taught Classically, can help students cultivate both academic rigor and intellectual curiosity about the world in which we live.Matt Ogle received a B.S in Marine biology from Swansea University in Wales and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. He taught at the Great Hearts Academy in Phoenix, Arizona for four years, and he currently serves as the Head of Classical Education at Thales Academy.This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Apex Junior High-High School on October 7, 2022.

According to Pew Research, in a comparison of 72 nations, the US fell from 6th place in math performance in 1997 to 38th place in 2017. Yet, by 2017 the US government was spending $12,800 per student. In 2019, the average Math SAT score across the nation came in at 528 out of a total 800. In the same year, classical schools saw an average score of 611 with similar results in reading, writing, and the sciences. For centuries, the kind of education we call classical has produced superior educational outcomes often with far fewer resources. So what is it about classical education that makes such a difference for students and parents? In short, classical education succeeds with tried and true methods of teaching and learning, many of which have been used for centuries or more, and all of which are rooted in what we know about human nature and how and why children learn. In this keynote address, Dr. Jonathan Yonan will examine the values and virtues that make classical education the best possible educational option for students and families.This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Apex Junior High-High School on October 7, 2022.

In this episode, host Winston Brady interviews homeschool educator Holly Lee on her experience teaching in a wide variety of educational models from traditional public schools to homeschool programs such as Classical Conversations and Charlotte Mason. Holly Lee is a homeschooling mother of three and operates My Little Brick Schoolhouse, a blog offering homeschooling support and academic resources. A native of Charlotte, NC, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an educator who served four years in Durham and Wake County’s public schools, and now a homeschool enthusiast and educator, Holly lives in Wilson, North Carolina with her husband and three rambunctious redheads.

This reposted episode focuses on Thales of Miletus, the namesake and spiritual founder of Thales Academy. In the episode, Dr. Jon Stewart examines the life and impact of Thales of Miletus, one of the Seven Sages of Greece for whom Thales Academy is named. More information can be found out about Dr. Stewart at https://www.jonstewart.dk/

On today's episode, we're reposting an early episode of Developing Classical Thinkers: "The Podcast of the Cave." In this very first episode of Developing Classical Thinkers, released in November of 2018, Josh Herring, Brooke Frisch, Winston Brady Stacey Egger, and Mary Dodson discuss Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" from Book VII of Plato's "Republic."

In recent weeks, we’ve had a number of big, high-profile stories come out about education: the first being the noted decline in reading and math scores as a result of school closures and online learning over the past two years, the second being the recent cancellation of student loan payments for college students. Today’s episode features a special guest, Brian Balfour of the John Locke Foundation, to talk about student loans and the cancellation of those student loan payments.Brian Balfour is Senior Vice President of Research for the John Locke Foundation, where he oversees the organization’s research and analysis on a variety of issues. He previously worked for the Civitas Institute for 13 years and has a master’s degree in economics from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Theme music is from John Harrison and Wichita State University.

In recent years the Classical Learning Test has provided for the classical renewal movement what, for everything else we have going for us, has been lacking: a standardized test. CLT provides “assessments steeped in content that is intellectually richer and more rigorous than other standardized tests and college entrance exams,” geared primarily around a substantial author bank “of men and women who have made invaluable contributions to culture and history.” In this episode, Winston Brady interviews CLT-president and founder Jeremy Tate about the early years getting CLT off the ground, his perspective of the educational landscape, and his thoughts for the future of education. Jeremy Tate is a former college admissions test prep consultant and counselor. Alarmed by the lack of logic- and philosophy-based subject matter in the two dominant forms of entrance exams, he founded Classic Learning Initiatives (CLI) as a means of restoring the foundation of Western education.

Most simply, an entrepreneur is someone who starts his or her own business. They recognize opportunities and needs in the market that others do not see, and from there, they come up with new ways to meet these market needs. Our society values entrepreneurship because such individuals create innovative products and services that improve our quality of life and contribute to human flourishing in a meaningful way. In this webinar, Bob Luddy, founder of Thales Academy and Thales College, and Winston Brady, Director of Thales Press, will examine the ideals of entrepreneurship and how entrepreneurship contributes to human freedom in a meaningful way, as well as more practical tips on starting and managing your own business.This webinar was streamed live on August 25, 2022 and is available to watch on the Thales Press YouTube channel.