Educating Humans

51. Why The Great Books?

Difff & James Season 4 Episode 51

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For the first episode of 2025, Difff and James ask why schools should read the 'Great Books'. What even are the great books, and what makes them so great? Schools have to read something (though that's perhaps not universally acknowledged), so what metrics should be used to determine what kinds of books should be read.  And isn't it true that what we call the 'Great Books' are just old, boring and difficult?

Check out Difff's other podcast: Chiron, conversations about the past to help make sense of the present.

And James' other podcast: The Art of Inquiry, inquiries into the nature of the world and humanity with expert level guests passionate about their field.

Music: 'Inspiring Dreams' by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon
Creative Commons CC BY 4.0