Irving Babbitt, ON BEING CREATIVE (full)
Babbitt’s last work before he passed away, ON BEING CREATIVE. A brilliant final look at humanism. babbitt-on-being-creative
Irving Babbitt, THE NEW LAOKOON (full book)
Irving Babbitt’s second published book, THE NEW LAOKOON: AN ESSAY ON THE CONFUSION OF THE ARTS (Boston, MA: Riverside Press, 1910). This is a gorgeous book on the meaning of art within the humanist mindset and discipline. Enjoy…. Read More
Lecture 7: The Origins of Greek Philosophy
Here’s one of my favorite topics–whether I do justice to it or not is another question–the origins of Greek philosophy. Fire, air, water, soil, cycles, repetition, the One, the Many . . .
My Series on the First Principles of Edmund Burke
The Imaginative Conservative has graciously allowed me to explore the writings of Edmund Burke in a long series, going back to the first principles of conservatism. “After Burke defined and defended his “love of a manly, moral, regulated… Read More
Western Heritage Lecture 5: No God Kings
In my fifth lecture for the Western Heritage core course, I moved the class from the ancient Hebrews to the ancient Greeks, considering how each people(s) despised the notion of a God-King. In particular, I considered the roles… Read More
Western Heritage Lecture 4: Hebrews and Covenant
Lecture 4, if you’re keeping count. This one, a focus on Genesis 17 and Exodus 3. The relationship of Adam to Abraham to Moses. Or, why God never changes but man’s understanding of Him does. The previous… Read More
Western Heritage Lecture 3: Genesis 2-3
Ok, so, I’m getting a little behind, and it’s only the third day of MWF classes! Here’s lecture 3, if you’re keeping count. This one focuses (after a bit of housekeeping) specifically on chapters 2 and 3 of… Read More
Francois Mauriac, GOD AND MAMMON (Full book)
One of the most important Christian Humanists of the 20th century, Francois Mauriac is largely now forgotten. Here’s the book Mauriac wrote for Christopher Dawson’s edited series, ESSAYS IN ORDER. It would be, technically, vol. 15, though it’s… Read More
Term Chaser: For THE WESTERN HERITAGE by Kagan, Ozment, and Turner
For my freshmen students in H104, sections 7 and 8, Fall 2016. Term chaser for the secondary text. *** Term Chaser, Autumn 2016; Birzer For Kagan, Ozment, and Turner: THE WESTERN HERITAGE Chapters 1-5 Culture Code of… Read More
TIC: Definitive Biography
I’m so honored that The Imaginative Conservative thinks so well of RUSSELL KIRK: AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE. Thank you proudly to Winston, Steve, and Co. The Imaginative Conservative‘s co-founder and editor-at-large, Bradley J. Birzer, has received another award for his… Read More
Western Heritage: Intro Lecture
If you’re interested, here’s my first lecture of the Autumn 2016 semester–Western Heritage, an Introduction, looking at the questions: what is man; what is God; and what is man’s relationship to man?
Paolucci Book Prize, 2016: Russell Kirk, American Conservative
I am deeply honored to have won this year’s Paolucci Prize from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. Overwhelmed might be a better work than honored! Well, both, actually. Thank you, ISI, and thank you, Russell Kirk! Here are the… Read More
Stormfields 