Since the Persian Wars—like the Punic Wars, the Crusades, and the West’s ongoing struggle with Islam—serve to define who we are, it will be useful to reread Herodotus, particularly the books that are directly relevant to the cultural struggle between the West and its enemies.
Surveys of Western Civ usually convey the impression that Greek literature was dominated by Athenians and their Ionian Greek cousins.
I have been asked, many times, to explain my objections to John Locke and his theory of natural rights and the social contract. One way to address that question is the discussion of Sir Robert Filmer Patriarcha I undertook some years ago.
In this series, I want you to do your best to forget what you have been told to believe. We are going to concentrate more on what the Greeks said about themselves, and, more than that, we are going to compare what they said with how they lived.
Adam Smith is one of the heroes of Anglo-American conservatism. Some years ago, movement conservatives used to sport an Adam Smith tie to tell the world of their allegiance.
The one figure who defines modern thought is Aristotle, not of course because modern thinkers have followed him, but because since Galileo and Descartes and Bacon, scientists and philosophers have defined themselves by their opposition to Aristotle
Once upon a time I decided to learn Japanese. I had none of the usual practical reasons: no business interests that would take me to Japan nor even an academic project comparing Noh plays with Attic tragedy.
This is a revised version of a piece first published in 2014. Once upon a time I decided to learn Japanese. I had none of the usual practical reasons: no business interests that would take me to Japan nor even an academic project comparing Noh plays with Attic tragedy. I knew next to nothing of Japan, though as a child my imagination had been stirred by the Mikado, and later, when a college friend persuaded me to read the Tale of Genjii, my mind was haunted by images of beautiful men and women spending languorous evenings composing allusive verses to...
I have been asked, many times, to explain my objections to John Locke and his theory of natural rights and the social contract. One way to address that question is the discussion of Sir Robert Filmer Patriarcha I undertook some years ago. I am revising and condensing those pieces for our newer and better project. Patriarcha was actually written before Locke’s Treatises, which effectively debunks the mythology. During the month of June, I will be posting paragraphs of the work, making comments, taking questions and comments from participants in the discussion. The book is available online at http://www.constitution.org/eng/patriarcha but...
In all that is most important, Aristotle is more often right than wrong, and consistently right on those points where he has been most attacked.
