Comment

Comment by Katrina J. Combs on April 30, 2012 at 10:04am

I'm pleased with the consensus as well.

I can begin a couple weeks after school ends for us: about June 25th-ish.

Any thoughts from the group here?  Is that too early?  (I understand some schools might not close June 15th or so.)

Comment by Ty Rallens on April 29, 2012 at 11:15pm

I'm glad to see such a strong consensus building around the Republic. I have read it before, but once is never enough, especially when people say that all other philosophy is only footnotes to Plato. So, I'm all in for re-reading it this summer with a group of friends.

Katrina: When would you like to begin?

Comment by Katrina J. Combs on April 28, 2012 at 1:54pm

Eric: I'm so glad another was inspired by "Dehyration"!

 

Back to Ty: I have been considerng Plato's Republic because it includes so many quintessential features of Western thought (such as introducing the forms, universals, or the Allegory of the Cave), great literary structure (such as Thrasymachus's entrance in Book 1), and because, almost conveniently, it addresses education.  It also is a great matrix for thinking about Tertullian's perennial question, "What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?"  Or, as I ask students, "Why are we studying pagan philosophy at a Christian institution?"

Ahd of course, as I mentioned above, I have never read the book in its entirety, and, oddly, not in order.  Personally, by reading it in order, I hope to appreciate the literary structure more.  In turn, I'm sure my understanding of the pieces of the text will be illuminated (yes, pun intended ;) by perceiving the work as a whole.

 

Comment by Eric VanDerhoof on April 27, 2012 at 3:25pm

I am a newcomer to the discussion, but I would be interested in discussing The Republic this summer.  I taught it to a class of 11th/12th graders this school year.  I would be interested to hear insights from other educators.

Katrina: I read "Dehydration" yesterday and was inspired/convicted to keep nurturing my on soul.

Comment by Katrina J. Combs on April 27, 2012 at 3:08pm

Joan: We'd love to have you!  I'm glad you're interested not only in general, but also in reading the Republic.

I'm teaching the Republic for my summer section of Phil. 102, so it will be a double whammy!

Comment by Katrina J. Combs on April 27, 2012 at 3:06pm

Ty and Jesse:

 

I'm so glad you are both interested.  Don't worry about the timing, Ty.  It's the middle of the semester!  That's why we need to do the summer one!

 

Ironically, I signed on to post a fitting quote I just read from the most recent CiRCE Papers:

"Most of us are dehydrated and we don’t realize it until the serious symptoms show up.  We push and push, run and run, until our heads hurt, our vision goes fuzzy, and the world is spinning.  Papers pile up, patience wears thin, and enthusiasm wanes.  What happened?  For me, the problem is almost always the same.  I try to give out while failing to take in.

 

In my experience, this is a particularly serious issue for classical school teachers and homeschooling parents because so many lack the funds and opportunities for teacher training and development.  But, we must all quickly learn that you cannot teach great books without basking in them yourself.  You cannot guide moving conversations without having them yourself.  You cannot feed the souls of your students while starving your own."

-- from "Dehydration" by Dr. Brian Phillips, CiRCE Papers 4/26/12

 

Comment by Joan White on April 27, 2012 at 8:51am

I would wholeheartedly join in reading/discussing the Republic this summer.  That is something I have read in bits and pieces also, and have wanted (for several years now) to read it in its entirety.

Comment by Jesse Hake on April 26, 2012 at 11:03pm

Hear, hear! I'd also appreciate joining others in reading a great book this summer, and the Republic is an excellent candidate. I look forward to following what materializes.

Comment by Ty Rallens on April 26, 2012 at 10:51pm

Hi Katrina, don't let the fact that I waited a full month to respond in any way imply a lack of enthusiasm for your suggestion. On the contrary, reading through a "real" great book is an excellent idea.

Did you want the great book to be about education (the Republic clearly is) or did you also have in mind things like plays, epics, philosophies, and histories? 

Comment by Katrina J. Combs on March 26, 2012 at 11:23pm

Could/should we start planning a summer book?  I'm still up for leading the discussion.  As I stated previously, I would love to read together an actual great book, rather than a contemporary book on educational theory or one about the great books.  Any suggestions?

Notice I say "contemprary book on educational theory."  This is because I the only idea I have so far is Plato's Republic -- which offers educational theory (advocating a basic liberal arts approach) -- but is also a "real" great book."

(I've read some sections of the Republic a million times . .. taught it . .. .but I've never actually read the whole book through . .. and definitely not in order.  Odd realization!)

Thoughts??

 

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