The Morsel or the Meal? My husband and I have two full sets of the Britannica Great Books in our home. Two. One set right on top of the other. We purchased one used set for a steal online. The next was unexpectedly dropped off by a friend who was purging his library. or us, it's His and Hers Herodotus, like the bath towels gifted at our wedding. Having four full shelves of the most enduring books in history in our home can be a little unnerving, however. When I walk into our library and catch a glimpse of those leather-bound, gilded treasures, I feel challenged and a little embarrassed. Embarrassed because I'm often guilty of letting the forgettable things whittle away my time an online news article, a riday night movie I've already seen. Instead of reaching for Plato, I avert my eyes, grab a cookbook, and pretend I am too busy to chew on big topics like ustice, truth, or happiness. I choose the morsel over the meal. G. K. Chesterton tells us that "The I liad is only great because all life is a battle, the O dyssey because all life is a ourney, the Book of Job because all life is a riddle." Am I really too busy to hear what the sages say about good living How ridiculous I'm actively engaged in this thing called life. Shouldn't I put some more thought into how I'm going about it I belong to a family. I belong to a community. I belong to the human race. Robert Hutchins (former president of the University of Chicago and editor in chief of the Britannica Great Books) reminds me that "citizenship requires that you understand the world in which you live and that you do not leave your duties to be performed by others, living vicariously and vacuously on their virtue and intelligence. … To be free you have to be educated for freedom. This means you have to think for the free man is one who thinks for himself." If thinking for ourselves is not optional, we must try to think the best we can. To do that, we must learn from those who have been exalted by the generations for thinking well. Many of us are parents and teachers committed to classical education we are all striving to provide our students knowledge and wisdom. But shouldn't we also seek it for ourselves It's true that the Great Books set contains a year-by-year, page-by-page reading plan, but even with a prescription, studying Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Thucydides, Hobbes, and Homer on one's own seems so overwhelming I know that, like eating an elephant, it's about ust taking the first bite. But I want the table prepared for me, a napkin draped over my lap, and even better the guidance of a good teacher, the insights of thoughtful and ovial friends, and maybe some inspiring music in the background. If, like me, you are finally ready to partake, the feast is prepared. Memoria College offers a Master of Arts in Classics program designed to acquaint you with the best that has been thought and said. Our summer seminar courses are open for registration to both enrolled and non-credit students, as well as teachers seeking professional development credit. We are also now taking applications for our second school year, which will begin in the fall of 2021. We have assembled a great team of wise and engaging tutors and selected a course of study that focuses on the life-giving language and ideas that have instructed and invigorated humanity throughout the ages and that still speak to us today. We hope you will consider oining us on this adventure to read the Great Books together. I, for one, want your company. Co-Founder
join our class at MemoriaCollege.org Memoria College is currently seeking licensure as a degree-granting institution from the Council on Postsecondary Education.
45
