When, in 1711, Joseph Addison reflected on what drove him to publish The Spectator, he wrote: I shall be ambitious to have it said of me, that I have brought Philosophy out of Closets and Libraries, Schools and Colleges, to dwell in Clubs and Assemblies, at Tea-Tables, and in Coffee-Houses.” His is a noble ambition. …
I believe that the gospel of Christ is the fulfillment of every human dream. I believe that the gospel of Christ stands in opposition to every error. I do not believe in a two-tier universe, with a religious or spiritual level above a distinct secular or “natural” level. So when I read these words, I …
From the Canvas discussion for my Mimetic Teaching intensive: We were discussing Pascal’s statement, “Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except GOD. He is only found by the ways taught in the Gospel.” You asked, “Am I making it too simple?” I contend that it is impossible to do so because Christ is simple …
An Interview conducted on May 23, 2023, by Graeme Pitman with Andrew Kern on the beginnings, nature, and purpose of the CiRCE Apprenticeship. G: When and why did you start the CiRCE Apprenticeship Program? A: It was around 2005. If I had a simple answer, it would be that I agreed with David Hicks …
On Apprenticeship and Teacher Formation: An Interview with Andrew KernRead More »
A wonderful discussion about how to handle AI is taking place, especially now that it has reached a new “generation” with ChatGPT and similar tools. In this article, Kate Deddens suggests some ways to approach AI. In addition, she triggered a thought. On the Ends of Education If education is the cultivation of wisdom and …
True confession: This post comes from a forum post for the Mimetic Teaching Intensive that begins this week. Since it can be applied to any teaching, I have posted it here: Whenever I approach mimetic teaching I do so with fear and trembling. Playing with Blocks Once upon a time, I had a lovely, childlike …
When it come to thinking, I can’t think of anything that I find more discouraging than how public discussion degrades it. Let me give an example. In the last decade or so, a rather interesting term has become widely used: micro-aggressions. I have no idea where and when I first encountered it, mostly because it …
When I was a child, I liked to read. We didn’t have a ton of books in my house, but I was well served by those we had, by friends, and by school. My seventh grade English teacher introduced us 1970’s suburban kids to the folklorish ways of the English countryside in The Wind in …
Making your bed isn’t just a good way to get your day started, it’s an act of faith. So are cooking, cleaning house, diligence at work, and working in your garage. Or at least they can be. Minerva’s Owl and the End of an Age I’ve called this blog Minerva’s Owl for reasons I’ll explain …
An apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! – The Proverbs of Solomon Perhaps the title makes it obvious that this is no time to point fingers. Rather than look across the borders of our hearts, we would do better to examine ourselves. First, we …
