
The Cause - Rob Pirie
Please join me in embarking on the Harvard Classics Series by Dr. Charles Elliot. This series dates back to around 1910 and is a collection of literature that I believe needs to be revived and rediscovered. I look forward to reading and discussing all 50 volumes with you as we learn about the great ideas of those who came before us. In this series, we will dive into Greek and Roman history, the American Founders, works from Francis Bacon, John Milton, and many more. We will cover Shakespeare and Chaucer and also some fictional works like Don Quixote which are all included in the Harvard Classics. We will also review other books on this podcast that fit the classical education theme. This series is being created for those passionate about classical education and as a supplement to homeschool curriculums. I truly hope these classical works of literature bring you as much joy as they do me. Feel free to reach out with any questions as I would love to hear from you!Rob Pirie
Latest episodes

Jun 3, 2025 • 24min
Unshaken, Unashamed, and Unafraid - Jesus Conquers The Wilderness - Paradise Regained (Books 3 & 4)
Send us a textParadise Regained by John Milton is an epic poem that recounts Jesus's temptation in the wilderness by Satan. This video covers books 3 and 4 of Paradise Regained, as there are four books total. Join us as we witness the battle between good and evil and ultimately bruise the heel of Satan. The Son of God is in for a long, hard struggle, and his foe is no other than Satan himself. Out of the wilderness comes a man who will soon change the world forever. Paradise Regained by John Milton is a truly epic poem about the most incredible human being ever to walk the earth. I hope you enjoy my explanation of Paradise Regained, books 3 and 4.Paradise Regained: Summary of Books 3 and 4Substack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSome Resources Covered In Video: • Paradise Regained: On Audible: https://amzn.to/3xMiTQH• John Milton - Complete Works - https://amzn.to/3TsFiuM• Harvard Classics Complete Kindle Set - https://amzn.to/3OStaAmIf you would like to support this series, please consider purchasing my coffee, which is linked below, or checking out some of my favorite books. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESupport the show

May 20, 2025 • 32min
When Men No Longer Exist | "The Abolition Of Man" by C.S. Lewis
Send us a textHey! Do not let this book intimidate you. Read it slowly and contemplate the ideas. It is a marvelous book indeed.Objective Values vs. Moral Relativism:Lewis critiques the idea that all value judgments are merely subjective expressions of personal feelings, arguing that there are objective standards of right and wrong that exist independently of human opinion. The Tao:He introduces the concept of the Tao, a universal moral law that all cultures have recognized and embraced to some degree. The Tao is a set of objective principles that provide a framework for moral understanding and behavior. Conditioning and the Loss of Humanity:Lewis expresses concern about the potential for "conditioners" (those who manipulate and control others) to exploit human beings without the guidance of the Tao. He argues that this manipulation, if unchecked, leads to the "abolition of man," a state where human beings are no longer considered rational and moral agents. Education and the Cultivation of Virtue:Lewis emphasizes the importance of education in cultivating the virtues and appropriate emotions that enable individuals to live by the Tao. He argues that education should not only impart knowledge but also shape character and values. The "Chest" and the Importance of Emotional Balance:Lewis often refers to the "chest" as the seat of emotions governed by self-discipline and reason, and argues that the "chest" is essential for moral behavior. When emotions are divorced from reason, individuals become vulnerable to manipulation and their own base appetites. The Role of Science and Technology:Lewis acknowledges the potential benefits of science and technology but warns against using them to debunk objective values or to manipulate human beings. He suggests that science can be a powerful tool for understanding and improving the world, but it must be guided by ethical principles.I hope you enjoy the video. 1. A Defense Of Classical Education: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/mp/a-defence-of-classical-education/ @memoriapress 2. Weapons Of Mass Instruction: https://amzn.to/3RojPS13. The Republic: https://amzn.to/45kkp9o4. The Social Contract: https://amzn.to/4cl1Ns95. The Abolition Of Man: https://amzn.to/3VD5X926. Discourse On Voluntary Servitude: https://amzn.to/3x3AFPv7. The Road to Serfdom: https://amzn.to/3Xq8hSp8. The Political Theory Of The American Founding: https://amzn.to/4chLD2xBest Headphones for listening to books. My Headphones (Great Noise Cancelling) - https://amzn.to/4jLzK9MIf you want to support this series, please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. MY COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. Support the show

May 6, 2025 • 24min
Paradise Regained By John Milton - A Journey Through The Wilderness With Jesus (Books 1 & 2)
Send us a text"Paradise Regained By John Milton - A Journey Through The Wilderness With Jesus (Books 1 & 2)"Paradise Regained by John Milton is an epic poem about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by Satan. This video covers books 1 and 2 of Paradise Regained, as there are 4 books total. Join us as we witness the battle between good and evil and ultimately bruise the heel of Satan. The Son of God is in for a long, hard struggle, and his foe is no other than Satan himself. Out of the wilderness comes a man who will soon change the world forever. Paradise Regained by John Milton is truly an epic poem about the greatest human to ever walk the earth. I hope you enjoy my explanation of Paradise Regained, books 1 and 2.Paradise Regained: Summary of Books 1 and 2Substack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSome Resources Covered In Video: • Paradise Regained: On Audible: https://amzn.to/3xMiTQH• John Milton - Complete Works - https://amzn.to/3TsFiuM• Harvard Classics Complete Kindle Set - https://amzn.to/3OStaAmIf you would like to support this series, please consider purchasing my coffee, which is linked below, or checking out some of my favorite books. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESupport the show

Mar 11, 2025 • 6min
I Finally Quit My Job - Here's What Happened - Moving To Virginia
Send us a textGlad to have you back again as we chow down on a little humble pie! In June of 2024, I quit my day job and ventured into the world of entrepreneurship and family connection. I roasted coffee, drank coffee, and hung out with the family more during this period than I had in the past few years. It was a great break. But like all good things in life, they can't last forever. It is now time to lace up the boots and get back to work. I hope you enjoy this Coffee Break Tuesday and read some great books!#books • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Feb 12, 2025 • 8min
Inside Beautiful RALSTON COLLEGE - A New Vision for Higher Education! Come Join The Fellowship!
Send us a textnside Beautiful RALSTON COLLEGE - A New Vision for Higher Education! Come Join The Fellowship!RALSTON COLLEGE: Check them out here!Ralston College: https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-ma?utm_source=rptc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=student_recruitment_2425 @RalstonCollegeSavannah My trip to Ralston College was amazing. The students and staff were so open and respectful. Being amongst other individuals passionate about classical literature and the humanities just felt like home. The dedication and effort put in by students and faculty alike was like nothing I have seen at any other school. I truly hope you check out Ralston and reach out to them. They find scholarships for most students so if you have the will to attend they will make the means possible. They are so nice and truly passionate about the mission they are on. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Feb 4, 2025 • 8min
Why You Should LISTEN To Books and How To RETAIN What you Read
Discover the powerful impact of listening to books alongside reading. Enjoy the benefits of accurate pronunciations and multitasking while diving into narratives. Combining these formats can significantly boost your understanding and retention of the material. Plus, the right audio narrator can make characters unforgettable. Embrace the synergy between reading and listening for a richer literary experience!

Jan 28, 2025 • 27min
Rousseau's Social Contract Theory Explained | How It Still Relates To Us - Book Review
Send us a textI truly hope you enjoy my review of the Social Contract by Rousseau. He is a fantastic writer and very enjoyable to read, especially regarding philosophy. His work, in my opinion, is still in the process of being lived out and proven. This means this work is very current, and he discusses many of the issues we face in the book. Below are a few main points about the Social Contract. General Will:The core concept, where citizens, by collectively deciding what is best for the community, essentially "obey themselves" when following laws based on the general will. Natural Freedom vs. Civil Liberty:People are naturally free, but by entering the social contract, they surrender some individual freedoms in exchange for the benefits of civil society and the protection of laws based on the general will. Direct Democracy:To ensure the general will is accurately reflected, Rousseau advocated for a system where citizens directly participate in decision-making, not through representatives. Sovereignty of the People:The ultimate power lies with the people, not with a monarch or ruling class, and they have the right to revolt if the government deviates from the general will. Equality among Citizens:Rousseau emphasized the importance of equality among citizens within the social contract, where everyone should have an equal say in shaping the laws. I hope you enjoy the video1. A Defense Of Classical Education: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/mp/a-defence-of-classical-education/2. Weapons Of Mass Instruction: https://amzn.to/3RojPS13. The Republic: https://amzn.to/45kkp9o4. The Social Contract: https://amzn.to/4cl1Ns95. The Abolition Of Man: https://amzn.to/3VD5X926. Discourse On Voluntary Servitude: https://amzn.to/3x3AFPv7. The Road to Serfdom: https://amzn.to/3Xq8hSp8. The Political Theory Of The American Founding: https://amzn.to/4chLD2xIf you would like to support this series please consider purchasing my coffee linked below or checking out some of my favorite books below. • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. Support the show

Jan 14, 2025 • 6min
What You Read MATTERS - Why Reading The Right Books will Change Your Life Forever!
Send us a textWhat you choose to read matters more than you may think. In this episode, I discuss the importance of choosing books wisely to bring joy and knowledge through the love of reading. Reading books can impact your life more than you think and reading the right books can help you live a good life. I hope you enjoy the video!• COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Jan 7, 2025 • 6min
We Live In The Best Of Times! My Cherished Advice From An Old Man
Send us a textAn old man told me that his kids have never known hunger. And that has stuck with me ever since he uttered the words. I miss you, Mr. Neal!• COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show

Dec 31, 2024 • 7min
The HARDEST BOOK I Ever Read and ... How ANYONE Can Read It
Send us a textToday we discuss the hardest book I have read, what I learned, and how anyone can read hard books. Some books are more challenging than others but that should not stop us from reading them. Paradise Lost is a book that challenges you as a reader on many levels. The poem is written in blank verse in iambic pentameter. The poem makes music when read correctly which allows the poem to have a charm and enchantment I have never experienced in any other book. Not to mention the devil shows up in many of the details such as the numerology and symbology. I hope you enjoy the video! • COFFEE Website: http://cedarotacoffee.com/ * Use Code "thecause" for 15% off on your first order. The Best Writing Journals: • https://amzn.to/4hrj5XESubstack: https://substack.com/@robpirieSupport the show