The ancients, who under the leadership of Pythagoras first made science systematic, defined philosophy as the love of wisdom. Indeed the name itself means this, and before Pythagoras all who had knowledge were called “wise” indiscriminately- a carpenter, for example, a cobbler, a helmsman, and in a word anyone who was versed in any art or handicraft((See Sirach 38:25-39)). Pythagoras, however, restricting the title so as to apply to the knowledge and comprehension of reality, and calling the knowledge of the truth in this the only wisdom, naturally designated the desire and pursuit of this knowledge philosophy, as being desire … Continue

In this lesson, we study the demonstration of the first proposition in Euclid’s Geometry (Proposition 1.1). The analysis of the proposition is provided below. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Lesson

To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Review past lessons on adjectives. Study the lesson for mastery. Memorize the rules in bold print. Complete the lesson assessment. Lesson 53. Adjectives are not declined in the English language. In Latin, we learn that adjectives are declined and vary in forms to show gender, number, case and degree. While this is not true of English adjectives, they do vary their forms to express degree. 54. An adjective undergoes a change of form to express a comparison between different objects. When we compare objects, we either compare one to … Continue

In this article of the Summa Theologica, we find St. Thomas Aquinas’ famous five proofs for the existence of God as he answers the question, “Whether God Exists?“. Objection 1 It seems that God does not exist; because if one of two contraries be infinite, the other would be altogether destroyed. But the word “God” means that He is infinite goodness. If, therefore, God existed, there would be no evil discoverable; but there is evil in the world. Therefore God does not exist. Objection 2 Further, it is superfluous to suppose that what can be accounted for by a few … Continue

In this lesson, we will learn how to find the prime factors common to two or more numbers. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Memorize the rule given in the lesson. Complete all lesson exercises. Complete the lesson assessment. Lesson To learn how to find the prime factors common to two or more numbers, let us begin with an example problem by which the rule may be understood. 1. What prime factors are common to 30 and 42? Step 1. Write the numbers in line. 30 42 Step 2. From … Continue

In this lesson, we will study how the order of events is to be expressed in writing. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the Lesson for mastery. Complete the lesson Assessment. Compose Theme V. Self-correct your theme. Submit your final theme for review. Lesson The order in which events occur will assist in establishing the order in which to relate them. If you are telling about only one person, you can follow the time order of the events as they actually happened; but if you are telling about two or more persons who were … Continue

In the previous lesson, we introduced the study of irregular nouns in Latin. It would not be a good use of time to study irregular nouns in a systematic way as we do regular nouns. Our goal is to simply become aware of irregular nouns so that when you see them, you are not confused. In this lesson, we will study irregular nouns which are deficient in number. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Complete the lesson assessment. The content of this lesson is taken from chapter 23 of Alvarez’s … Continue

In the previous lessons, we introduced the study of irregular nouns in Latin and looked at nouns which are irregular in Number. As said before, this is not intended to be an exhaustive study of irregular nouns because that would not be a good use of time. Our goal is to simply become aware of irregular nouns so that when you see them, you are not confused. In this lesson, we will study irregular nouns which are irregular with regard to gender. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Complete the … Continue

In his work “On the Advancement of Learning”, published in 1605. Francis Bacon argued that a traditional position on learning held man back from what he was capable of. He spoke of the traditional view as follows: “I hear the former sort say that knowledge is of those things which are to be accepted of with great limitation and caution; that the aspiring to overmuch knowledge was the original temptation and sin whereupon ensued the fall of man; that knowledge hath in it somewhat of the serpent, and, therefore, where it entereth into a man it makes him swell; Scientia … Continue