William C. MichaelWilliam C. Michael

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P., is the founder and headmaster of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy and a Lay Dominican in the Catholic Church. Mr. Michael received an honors degree in Classics and Ancient History from Rutgers University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He led the CLAA to accreditation with Cognia in 2024. He has been studying and teaching the classical liberal arts for over 30 years.

The Porphyrian Tree or Tree of Porphyry

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One of the most important (and difficult!) obstacles for students in classical Logic is understanding an illustration known as the “Porphyrian Tree” or the “Tree of Porphyry“. This illustration explains how Aristotle’s “Categories” are divided from the “genus most general” down through all subalternate genera and species, down to the “species most special” and individuals. It is the key to understanding Aristotle’s art of Reasoning, but it takes some work to understand rightly. Let’s take a careful look at the Porphyrian Tree above, and I’ll explain its meaning. Explanation of the Porphyrian Tree Starting at the top of the tree, … Continue

Baltimore Catechism I. On the Effects of the Redemption

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In this lesson of Baltimore Catechism I, we study the “Effects of the Redemption”. The following questions should be read aloud, and the answer recited until memorized. 102. Q. Which are the chief effects of the Redemption?A. The chief effects of the Redemption are two: The satisfaction of God’s justice by Christ’s sufferings and death, and the gaining of grace for men. 103. Q. What do you mean by grace?A. By grace I mean a supernatural gift of God bestowed on us, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for our salvation. 104. Q. How many kinds of grace are there?A. … Continue

Baltimore Catechism I. On the Church

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In this lesson of Baltimore Catechism I, we study the catechism’s lesson “On the Church”. We learn about how men are able to enjoy the blessings God offers us, what the Church is, who leads the Church and how the true Church of God may be known. The following questions should be read aloud, and the answer recited until memorized. Q. Which are the means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits of the Redemption?A. The means instituted by our Lord to enable men at all times to share in the fruits … Continue

Timaeus, by Plato

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Here we present the text of Plato’s dialogue the Timaeus (ti-MAY-us), translated by Thomas Taylor. One of Plato’s most influential dialogues, the Timaeus is the source of the famous story of the lost city of Atlantis, the nature of the world, the arrangement of the heavens, and more. To study the works of Plato in the Academy, please visit the Academy Study Center. Return to the Works of Plato Return to the Works of Plato

The Great Schism (1054 AD)

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In World Chronology, we have read the history of God’s saving work in the world, from the call of Abraham through to the Christianization of Europe in the time of Charlemagne. Even the terrible Vikings bowed before the Cross. It would seem that in a short time all the world would be renewed and the time of Our Lord’s return would be at hand. However, in God’s mysterious wisdom, the ability to ruin what was accomplished was left to men in the Church. Therefore, while the branches of the Church reached to the ends of the earth, and the walls … Continue