Thoughts on knowing and the end of education

The english word epistemology seems like a technical word because it doesn’t come from the Anglo-Saxon or French and because it has taken on a rather precise meaning.
As a result, the word can intimidate the reader.
It doesn’t need to. It just means “what is knowable” or maybe “a set of beliefs or theories about knowledge.”
You [...]

On Being Civilized

Until we accept that we are not a civilized people, and that it matters, we have little hope of becoming one.

Knowledge, Love, and Civilization

Francis Bacon said “Knowledge is power,” and I know of no record of him ever apologizing.
What sort of disposition would lead a person to saying such a thing. It’s not as if people prior to Bacon did not realize that knowledge gave its possessor power. But they had good manners and higher values, so they [...]

The Problem with Form

I have a problem with people who are obsessed with form and can’t get it past it to the spirit of the thing. A long time ago a man named Mahaffey wrote a little book called Conversation that carried some wonderful counsel on how to be a good conversationalist.
In it he said:
The man who parades [...]

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

I’m leaving tomorrow for a trip to CA during which I will be creating videotapes of The Lost Tools of Writing. That’s the idea. Now the application: I’m very busy and shouldn’t be blogging right now.
But sometimes my emotions get the better of me, so I have to tell you all something – both negative [...]

Why Formal?

Maybe I’ve already addressed this but I know it’s a big question and one that needs to be thought about as completely as possible.
Why teach formal grammar? Why not just teach it as it comes up, as the need arises?
I want to be sure to not create a disagreement where none exists. I think you [...]

When and How to Teach Grammar: II – Reflections on studying a foreign language

For two thousand years, no one in the western tradition challenged the notion that education should be based on the liberal arts, starting with grammar… It was not until the beginning of the twentieth century in America that a full-fledged revolt against the liberal arts occurred.
David Mulroy
The War Against Grammar
The goal in teaching grammar is [...]

Favreageddon II

I only post expectations for football games that look like they could be close or interesting, so this is only the second time I’ve bothered posting about the Packers this year and the other was when they played the Vikings too.
So far, I’ve picked the winner in every Packer game, but was off when they played [...]

When and How to Teach Grammar: Beginning Reflections

Since grammar is so important, the question becomes, “when and how should I teach it?”
Happily, the first question is pretty easy, so I’ll deal with it first.
“When should I teach grammar?”
Always.
Or let me be a little more specific: any time you do anything that involves language or thinking.
I’ll remind my readers that the thinking part [...]

Classics Illustrated

I have no idea if this is a good thing, but I have discovered a web site where someone has scanned in each page of the old Classics Illustrated comic books. I used to love these as a child, and I think they make a very good introduction to a lot of the stories they’ll [...]