Description

In this episode of The Christopher Perrin Show, Christopher Perrin reflects on wisdom as one of the chief aims of classical and liberal education. Beginning with practical wisdom, or phronesis and prudentia, he asks whether the young can become wise before age and experience have done their slow work. Drawing on Aristotle, Proverbs, Mortimer Adler, Anthony Kronman, and the older model of professors as bearers of a treasured inheritance, Perrin argues that students may grow wise by studying what is old with teachers and friends who love wisdom. He then takes listeners to the cathedral of Siena, where the medieval mosaic floor presents a journey from Lady Wisdom, Socrates, Crates, and the mountain of wisdom toward Moses, Abraham, the altar, and Christ, the power and wisdom of God. The episode unfolds the relationship between wonder and wisdom, showing how astonishment, humility, and awareness of ignorance begin the journey of philosophy and education. Perrin closes with Raphael’s image of Prudence as a young woman looking into a mirror with an old man’s face behind her, suggesting that the wisdom of the ages teaches us to know ourselves. This episode offers a rich meditation on Classical Academic Press’s renewed motto, Wonder to Wisdom, and on the lifelong climb toward wisdom, virtue, and freedom.

Episode Outline

• Wisdom as one of the chief ends of classical and liberal education
• Practical wisdom, phronesis, prudentia, and the wisdom that comes with age
• Whether the young can become wise before long experience has done its work
• Wise friends, noble teachers, old books, and the transmission of a treasured inheritance
• The cathedral of Siena and the mosaic of Lady Wisdom, Socrates, and Crates
• The floor of Siena as a journey from pagan wisdom toward Moses, Abraham, the altar, and Christ
• Wonder as the beginning of philosophy, learning, and the pursuit of wisdom
• Classical Academic Press’s renewed motto: Wonder to Wisdom
• Raphael’s Prudence and the need to look backward in order to know ourselves
• The lifelong climb toward wisdom, virtue, freedom, and self-examination

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Wisdom as Education’s End: Classical education seeks more than information or novelty. It aims at wisdom, virtue, and freedom, forming students who can see and love what is true, good, and beautiful.
• Practical Wisdom and Prudence: Perrin distinguishes practical wisdom as the ability to know what to do in changing circumstances. The Greek phronesis and Latin prudentia both point to a kind of foresight gained through experience, mentoring, and disciplined reflection.
• Young Students and Old Wisdom: The young may lack long experience, but they can still receive wisdom by studying what is old. Wise teachers, noble friends, and great books can help students participate in an inheritance larger than themselves.
• Siena’s Eucharistic Journey: The cathedral floor in Siena presents wisdom as a pilgrimage, moving from Lady Wisdom, Socrates, Crates, and Mount Parnassus toward Mount Sinai, Moses, Abraham, the altar, and Christ.
• Wonder to Wisdom: Wonder begins the journey toward wisdom by awakening astonishment, fear, humility, and an awareness of ignorance. A good education should preserve and deepen that wonder rather than flatten it into utility.
• Prudence and Memory: Raphael’s Prudence suggests that wisdom requires both self-knowledge and historical memory. The young woman becomes prudent by looking into a mirror that reflects the wisdom of the old.

Questions & Discussion

• What does it mean for wisdom to be one of the chief ends of education?
  Consider the difference between education aimed at wisdom and education aimed mainly at information, credentials, or novelty. How would a school change if wisdom were truly one of its central goals?
• How can young people become wise before they have grown old?
  Discuss Perrin’s account of wise friends, noble teachers, old books, and inherited traditions. What kinds of study, friendship, and imitation help the young receive wisdom beyond their years?
• Why does Siena’s cathedral floor place pagan philosophers within a Christian journey?
  Reflect on the movement from Lady Wisdom, Socrates, Crates, and Mount Parnassus toward Moses, Abraham, the altar, and Christ. What does this suggest about natural wisdom, revealed wisdom, and fulfillment in Christ?
• What role should wonder play in teaching and learning?
  Consider Aristotle’s claim that philosophy begins in wonder and Perrin’s connection between wonder, fear, astonishment, and acknowledged ignorance. How can teachers provoke wonder without reducing it to entertainment?
• How does looking backward help us know ourselves?
  Discuss Raphael’s image of Prudence as a young woman with an old man’s face behind her. How do history, literature, and the wisdom of the ages help students see their own humanity more truthfully?

Suggested Reading & Resources

• Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
• Metaphysics by Aristotle
• The Book of Proverbs
• ClassicalU Course: Introduction to Classical Education
• ClassicalU Course: A Brief History of Classical Education
• ClassicalU Course: The Liberal Arts Tradition