Happy Birthday to John Erskine, a savior of Western Civilization! Born on October 5, 1879, Erskine was a visionary American educator, writer, and scholar, best known for his pioneering work in introducing the concept of the “Great Books” into American education. https://m.primal.net/LMAd.png His lifelong dedication to the classics and Western thought left an indelible mark on how generations of students engaged with literature, philosophy, and history. Erskine believed that the best way to cultivate critical thinking and moral reasoning was through a close reading of the classics. He taught at Columbia University and in 1921 introduced the General Honors course, which emphasized the study of great works from Western civilization. https://m.primal.net/LMAh.png These works spanned from Homer and Plato to Shakespeare and Milton, providing students with a foundation in timeless ideas about human nature, ethics, and society. Erskine saw these texts as central to developing well-rounded individuals and fostering a connection to the Western intellectual tradition. https://m.primal.net/LMAp.png Erskine’s vision inspired the Great Books movement, which gained further momentum in the 20th century, particularly through figures like Mortimer Adler and Robert Hutchins. This movement aimed to keep alive the study of essential works from the Western canon, arguing that these texts formed the intellectual foundation of Western culture. https://m.primal.net/LMAf.png The Great Books curriculum often includes works by Aristotle, Dante, Cervantes, Goethe, and more, touching on philosophy, literature, politics, science, and theology. https://m.primal.net/LMAs.png However, in recent decades, the Great Books have fallen out of favor in modern American education, largely due to the rise of postmodernism and progressive educational theories. Postmodernism challenges the idea of universal truths and questions the validity of a single “canon” of works, while progressive education often emphasizes contemporary, diverse voices and relativism over historical texts. https://m.primal.net/LMAu.png These shifts have led to a diminished presence of the Great Books in school curricula, with some critics claiming the Western canon is too exclusive or irrelevant to modern concerns. https://m.primal.net/LMAz.png Despite this decline, Erskine’s vision remains vital. The Great Books are a testament to the enduring questions of the human experience, offering students the opportunity to engage with ideas that have shaped centuries of Western thought. By studying these works, students not only encounter profound philosophical inquiries but also gain insight into the cultural legacy that defines much of the modern world. https://m.primal.net/LMBE.png Erskine’s belief in the transformative power of the Western canon remains as relevant today as it was in his time, particularly in fostering a deep understanding of history, human nature, and the moral and ethical challenges we face. https://m.primal.net/LMBF.png John Erskine’s contribution to education endures as a celebration of the best of Western intellectual tradition, reminding us of the importance of grappling with the timeless ideas of the past in shaping a more thoughtful and informed future. His work championed the classics not as relics of the past, but as living conversations that continue to inform and inspire. https://m.primal.net/LMBK.png These "on this day" posts are inspired by my love of the greatest minds of the Western canon. It is in this spirit that I post these tidbits for the #bitcoin community as a way to bring beauty and knowledge to the world. https://m.primal.net/LIwG.jpg #johnerskine #education #greatbooks #westerncivilization #westerncanon #literature #philosophy