The Disputed Question

When it comes to the renewal of classical education, we know you have questions and we have them too!

Classical Academic Press has invited a host of authors, educators, philosophers, and theologians, from a wide range of backgrounds, to participate in the ages old tradition of disputatio: an academic forum where big ideas can be explained and debated with charity and respect.

Each quarter, we will publish the essays we have gathered in response to a new disputed question. We hope you will enjoy reading while watching these issues and ideas unfold. Most importantly, we hope these essays will contextualize and explain the many and varied interpretations, historic voices and arguments, points of view, and biblical foundations shaping the great conversations and cultural issues of today.

We believe teachers, school leaders, thought leaders, and parents will find these essays helpful as they interpret the complexities of the world we live in and how the renewal of classical education contributes to a right understanding of the issues governing our times.

When it comes to the renewal of classical education, we know you have questions and we have them too!

Classical Academic Press has invited a host of authors, educators, philosophers, and theologians, from a wide range of backgrounds, to participate in the ages old tradition of disputatio: an academic forum where big ideas can be explained and debated with charity and respect.

Each quarter, we will publish the essays we have gathered in response to a new disputed question. We hope you will enjoy reading while watching these issues and ideas unfold. Most importantly, we hope these essays will contextualize and explain the many and varied interpretations, historic voices and arguments, points of view, and biblical foundations shaping the great conversations and cultural issues of today.

We believe teachers, school leaders, thought leaders, and parents will find these essays helpful as they interpret the complexities of the world we live in and how the renewal of classical education contributes to a right understanding of the issues governing our times.

Learn more about The Disputed Question!

In the fourth installment of The Disputed Question, 14 writers responded to the following query: “Will a classical, liberal arts education benefit every human being regardless of ethnicity, historical period, culture, intellectual capacity, and professional calling?” They submitted a wide variety of responses, which reference Plato’s Republic to The Paideia Proposal. Read their essays below!

Question 4: "Will a classical, liberal arts education benefit every human being regardless of ethnicity, historical period, culture, intellectual capacity, and professional calling?"

Written by Andrew Seeley

Written by Carrie Eben

Written by Chris Schlect

Written by Christine Perrin

Written by Eric Cook

Written by Gary Hartenburg

 

Written by Heather Washburn

Written by Heidi White

Written by Jake Tawney

Written by John Cicone

Written by Louis Markos

Written by Martin Cothran

Written by Rose Allinder

Written by Tom Doebler

In the third installment of The Disputed Question, 11 writers responded to the following query: “Where Do the Fine Arts and the Common Arts Fit Into the Liberal Arts Tradition?” They submitted a wide variety of responses, which reference Aristotle, Tolkien, Mozart, and more notable figures. Read their essays below!

Question 3: "Where Do the Fine Arts and the Common Arts Fit into the Liberal Arts Tradition?"

Written by Andrew Seeley

Written by Carrie Eben

Written by Chris Hall

Written by Christine Perrin

Written by David Diener

Written by John Cicone

Written by John Skillen

Written by Junius Johnson

Written by Kim Williams

Written by Louis Markos

Written by Phillip Donnelly

On October 8, 2024, Dr. Christopher Perrin and several of The Disputed Question authors gathered for a webinar to extend the conversation surrounding the question: "Where do the fine arts and the common arts fit into the liberal arts tradition?" Watch the recording below!

In the second installment of The Disputed Question, 15 writers responded to the following query: “Which books are the great books, and why are they great?” Read their essays below!

Question 2: "Which Books Are the Great Books, and Why Are They Great?"

Written by Andrew Kern

Written by Anika Prather

Written by Brian Williams

Written by Carol McNamara

Written by Carrie Eben

Written by Chris Schlect

Written by Christine Perrin

Written by Christopher Perrin

Written by Gary Hartenburg

Written by Heidi White

Written by John Mark Reynolds

Written by Junius Johnson

Written by Louis Markos

Written by Martin Cothran

Written by Scott Postma

On July 9, 2024, Dr. Brian Williams and several of The Disputed Question authors gathered for a webinar to extend the conversation surrounding the question: "Which books are the great books, and why are they great?" Watch the recording below!

In the inaugural installment of The Disputed Question, 17 writers responded to the following query: "What is classical education?" They submitted a wide variety of responses, referencing everything from Socrates and the Roman Patricians to the Odyssey and The Book of the City of Ladies. Read their essays below!

Question 1: "What is Classical Education?"

Written by Junius Johnson

Written by Carrie Eben

Written by Dan Olson

Written by Christopher Schlect

Written by Martin Cothran

Written by Andrew Seeley

Written by Louis Markos

Written by Christine Perrin

Written by Josephine Mrema

Written by John Cicone

Written by Evaline Mmari

Written by Jessica Hooten Wilson

Written by Jake Tawney

Written by Chris Hall

Written by W. Davies Owens

Written by Carol McNamara

Written by Brian Williams

On April 23, 2024, Dr. Christopher Perrin, Joelle Hodge, MAT, and several of The Disputed Question authors gathered for a webinar to extend the conversation surrounding the question: "What is classical education?" Watch the recording below!

Get Involved with The Disputed Question

If you’re enjoying the essays and want to respond with your own charitable and respectful thoughts, objections, and responses, you have two options.

  1. Public Engagement: Beneath each essay, you'll find a comment box, where you can post comments to be read publicly.
  2. Direct Author Engagement: Use the form on this page to send your message to the contributing authors on any topic. Those authors may choose to respond to you directly, but may instead reference your ideas in future submissions.

Visit Our Classical Insights Blog to Learn More!

If you're interested in reading more from our thought leaders, be sure to check out our Classical Insights blog! There, you'll find helpful posts about studying new languages, teaching math classically, helping your students develop a love for learning, and other important topics!