Schopenhauer and Postmodern Ethical Affectation

Pedro Blas González Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), the grouch of Danzig, never minced words. As a self-respecting philosopher, his allegiance was to truth. This is characteristic of genuine freethinkers throughout history, regardless of any unpleasant fruits that...

The Meaning of Capitalism

TO THE POINT: FRIDAY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1963Did you know that “capitalism” is a term coined by Karl Marx? Like most Marxist terms, it is loaded, and misleading to employ. So I never advocate or defend the abstraction called “capitalism”: rather, I favor a reasonably...

Our Wisest President

TO THE POINT: FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1964Tardily, historians and the intelligent public are coming to realize that the most intelligent, as well as most learned, man ever to inhabit the White House was sardonic old John Adams. Unlike the “advanced thinkers” of his time,...

Why Caesar Was Not Called King

An interview with Mary Beard on the history and enduring myths of ancient RomeAfter two thousand years ancient Rome still helps define and understand the way we live our lives today. To ignore the Roman past is not just to turn a blind eye to history, but also to...

Why Study Latin?

TO THE POINT: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1966Rather to my surprise, but considerably to my pleasure, the study of Latin has been reviving somewhat in our better high schools, these past few years. Once upon a time, every properly educated person knew his Latin authors. That...

What’s Relevant? Roman History and Latin Literature

TO THE POINT: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1973Having written some books concerned with the history of ideas, I sometimes am asked, “What period of history ought young people to study nowadays, to understand the world we live in?” And I answer, “The history of Rome in the age...

On Becoming a Journalist

TO THE POINT: THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1962Among the numerous vices of American education, one of the silliest is our passion for offering vocational courses and curricula, from high school through graduate school, in occupations that can be learned only through experience...

Are Chance Acquaintances Providential Acquaintances?

TO THE POINT: SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1970, or SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1970Nowadays the idea of Providence is out of fashion. Yet I venture to affirm that men and women will come to believe once more in divine providence: that is, to believe that there exists a power greater...
A new issue of Studies in Burke and His Time

A new issue of Studies in Burke and His Time

The Edmund Burke Society of America announces a new issue of their journal, Studies in Burke and His Time, Volume 24. The issue features articles on Burke’s identity, and also includes a report on the 2015 conference on Burke held at Villanova University. Articles...

Four Federal Judges Celebrating Poetry at Poets House

Poets and critics oftencomplain that most contemporary American verse is beautiful but pointless. It is introspective, limited to the poet’s experiences or lack thereof, sometimes shrill, at times unintelligible. On Tuesday, October 20, 2015, four U.S. federal judges...