Classical Liberal Arts Academy Studium

Rethinking Socrates: The Danger of "Critical Thinking"

In this talk William Michael challenges common reverence for Socrates and modern “Socratic” education, arguing that destabilizing doubt—when unaccompanied by systematic instruction—can corrode faith, culture, and learning. He contrasts Platonic dialectical methods with Aristotelian demonstrative philosophy and calls for a recovery of systematic, authoritative teaching rooted in Aristotle and Aquinas.
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Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
 

The Definition of "Classical Education"

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.

What's the Difference between Philosophy and Theology?

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.

Questions about Classical Education and the CLAA Curriculum

This talk answers the following questions, received from a contact.
1) When you refer to "classical education" what exactly is it that you mean?  What is the exact curriculum that you are trying to recreate?  Where/when in history is this curriculum?
2) If "classical" refers to Ancient Greece and Rome, would it be more accurate to say you provide a "Scholastic" curriculum?  I ask because I noticed about a third of your courses in the Bachelor's program are more recent than the classical period.
3) Are there any more recent books that you have thought are capable of supplanting a text from the ancient times?  For example, a book on ethics that incorporates Aristotle's thought but also divine revelation.  I have heard that in the late 19th/early 20th century (in the wake of Pastor aeternus) many Thomistic "manuals" were written that attempted something like this.
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.HeadmasterClassical Liberal Arts Academyhttps://classicalliberalarts.com

How We Can Improve Classical Schools

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.HeadmasterClassical Liberal Arts Academy

An Honest Correction Regarding Catholic Education

"Trustworthy are the blows of a friend, dangerous, the kisses of an enemy." (Prov. 27:6)
“Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.” (C.S. Lewis)
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.HeadmasterClassical Liberal Arts Academyhttps://classicalliberalarts.com

The True Goal of Catholic Work and Education

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy 
https://classicalliberalarts.com 

School is for Intellectual Formation, Not Social Life and Sports

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy 
https://classicalliberalarts.com

Was Peter the First Pope?

In this lecture, we examine the New Testament evidence concerning the apostle Peter and his unique role among the Twelve. Rather than beginning with later Church history or theological claims, this talk proceeds directly from Scripture. We first define what is meant by the “Pope” — not as a later title, but as an office: a visible head of the Church entrusted with a unique pastoral authority for the sake of unity. We then identify the distinguishing characteristics such an office would require and examine whether those characteristics are found in Peter. The lecture considers: Peter’s renaming by Christ His reception of divine revelation concerning Christ’s identity The meaning of “rock” in Matthew 16 The symbolism of the “keys of the kingdom” Christ’s command to strengthen the brethren The commission to shepherd the whole flock Peter’s leadership in the Acts of the Apostles His role in the inclusion of the Gentiles His decisive intervention at the Jerusalem Council His association with Rome and the universal Church The goal is not polemical, but careful examination. The question addressed is simple: when the New Testament is read in its entirety, does it present Peter as occupying an office that corresponds to what Catholics later call the papacy? Viewers are encouraged to consider the cumulative biblical evidence and evaluate whether the Petrine office is an invention of later centuries or is rooted in the structure of the apostolic Church itself.
Join us for FREE classical Catholic studies in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy.
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com

Modern Sciences in Classical Catholic Education

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com