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Thales of Miletus (640-545 BC)

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Thales is said to have been born in the first year of the 35th Olympiad, which would have been approximately 640 BC. He was a Phoenician by descent, and he was the first man to whom the name of “Wise” was given, when the famous seven wise men of Greece had that title given to them. He was enrolled as a citizen at Miletus; but a more common statement is that he was a native Milesian, of noble blood. After having been immersed in Politics, he applied himself to speculations in Natural Philosophy. He studied Geometry and Astronomy with priests … Continue

Confiteor in Song

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In 2011, our friend Jared Haselbarth produced a beautiful version of the Confiteor for children. You can enjoy the video below. For more music by Mr. Haselbarth, visit his YouTube channel.

Order of Operations: The Simple Solution

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One of the topics in modern Arithmetic that students struggle with is the order of operations. By “order of operations” I mean that order in which operations are to be performed in a complicated Arithmetic problem. Here’s an example: 5 × 3 + 2 × 4 – 2 ÷ 2 = Let us solve this problem by moving left to right, performing one operation at a time: 5 × 3 = 13 + 2 = 15 × 4 = 60 – 2 = 58 ÷ 2 = 29 If we were to enter this answer on a test, it would … Continue

Faith and Reason: The Source of Classical Education

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As we begin our study of the classical liberal arts, we will first consider the philosophy behind this ancient system of learning. Ancient education grew from man’s nature and man’s respons to God’s revelation, that is, through faith and reason. We will see that modern educational philosophies are not alternatives to the ancient system but errors leading men away from sound philosophy and ultimately, true happiness. Return to Understanding Classical Catholic Education We must understand, first of all, that as neither God, truth, nor man has ever changed in nature, true education has never changed either. What has happened over … Continue

St. Francis of Assisi (October 4)

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St. Francis, the son of a merchant of Assisi, was born in that city A.D. 1182. Chosen by God to be a living manifestation to the world of Christ’s poor and suffering life on earth, he was early inspired with a high esteem and burning love of poverty and humiliation. The thought of the “Man of Sorrows”, who had not where to lay His head, filled him with holy envy of the poor, and constrained him to renounce the wealth and worldly station which he abhorred. The scorn and hard usage which he met with from his father and townsmen … Continue

Whether Mathematics is Invented or Discovered?

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Unfortunately, this video is poorly titled, since the word “invention” is derived from the Latin invenire, which means “to discover”, creating some confusion. Students who have studied Aristotle will recognize the distinction is between what is natural (established by God) and what is conventional (established by man), which is what the author of this video intended. Regardless, the video below provides us with an interesting discussion on the origin of mathematics. I’d like to challenge Academy students who are studying Classical Arithmetic and Classical Geometry to watch this video and see what they can identify that relates to their studies … Continue

The Promises of the Rosary

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The Promises of the Rosary provide us with motivation and understanding to guide us in our devotional life. In modern society, where businesses, celebrities and politicians fight for control of our attention, it is important for us to keep it focused on God. One of the principal ways for us to do this is through the recitation of the Holy Rosary. The Rosary provides us with a time to turn away from the world and all distractions and meditate on the “mysteries” of the life of Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The motivation to this devotion is found … Continue

The Context of Jesus Blessing the Children

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“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10 These words of Jesus are often quoted as part of a feel-good, family-friendly message in churches. Jesus is nice and likes kids. All are welcome. However, if we go to the actual context of these words, we find something quite different. First, Jesus says these words after forbidding adultery and warning that those who divorce and remarry are guilty of adultery. “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband … Continue

Literature in the Light of the Classical Liberal Arts

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In Shakespeare’s day, the knowledge of the classical Catholic curriculum could be assumed of the audience. In the opening lines of his “Taming of the Shrew”, the speech cannot be understood without a knowledge of our curriculum. Lucentio speaking at the opening of the play, speaks of his plan to devote himself to the study of classical Ethics, “that “For the time I study,Virtue and that part of PhilosophyWill I apply that treats of happinessBy virtue specially to be achieved.” Academy students working in Classical Ethics can understand exactly which study he speaks of. Lucentio’s servant Tranio then replies, with … Continue