Lectures

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  1. Ancient Greek Education

  In our introductory lecture, we explore key questions of educational philosophy by considering what an ideal school should be and the complex choices educators face around curriculum, teaching, and assessment. Dr. Hicks examines how Greek texts, especially Homer and later philosophers, shaped ideas about human potential, learning, and the divine–mortal relationship. The lecture concludes with Aristotle’s comprehensive vision of education, uniting knowledge of the natural world with character and practical wisdom, showing the lasting relevance of these ancient principles to modern education.
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  2. From Plato to Augustine

  In lecture two, we trace the shift from Ancient Greek to early Christian thought through Plato and St. Augustine, focusing on their views of human nature, education, and morality. Plato’s myths of Gyges and the Cave highlight his belief that humans are naturally immoral and ignorant, requiring painful, enforced enlightenment under philosopher-kings. Augustine builds on this with a Christian-Platonic synthesis, stressing original sin, strict discipline, and even compulsion in education and conversion, contrasting sharply with the more optimistic Aristotelian approach to human nature and learning.
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  3. Renaissance Educational Visions

  In lecture three, we examine the period from the 1085 reconquest of Toledo to the Renaissance, when the rediscovery of Greek and Roman texts sparked competing visions of education. Thomas Aquinas sought to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy with Christian doctrine, while reformers like Luther and Savonarola rejected pagan influences outright. Meanwhile, Renaissance humanists such as Alberti and Michelangelo emphasized human potential and broad learning. These debates ultimately shaped practices from the liberal arts to questions of censorship and individual freedom.
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  4. Through the Scientific Revolution

  In lecture four, Dr. Hicks presents the revolutionary transformation of education during the early modern period (the 1600s), beginning with the symbolic year 1642 when Galileo died and Newton was born, marking a transition from medieval to modern thinking. We see how global exploration, religious reform, the decline of feudalism, and scientific advances created demand for new models of learning grounded in individual reasoning, inquiry, and practical knowledge. Finally, we conclude with Montaigne, Bacon, and especially Locke, who championed child-centered education that fosters liberty, play, and the balanced growth of mind and body.
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  5. Romantic Educational Visions

  In lecture five, we study the historical context and philosophical implications of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's counter-Enlightenment thinking in the late 18th century. We examine how Rousseau challenges the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and progress, arguing instead for the primacy of feeling, passion, and natural authenticity. The lecture traces how Rousseau's ideas influenced Romantic movements in religion, art, and education, highlighting the tension between rational Enlightenment values and Romantic ideals of emotional expression, nature, and individual authenticity.
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  6. Strict German Reform

  In lecture six, Dr. Hicks begins with the year 1806, when Napoleon’s victory at Jena spurred a radical transformation of German education under Johann Gottlieb Fichte. Drawing on Kantian ideas, Fichte promoted strict obedience, duty over inclination, and the forging of a unified national identity by separating children from parental influence to mold disciplined servants of the state. These ideals, institutionalized at places like the University of Berlin where Fichte led, profoundly shaped German culture and influenced educational systems across Europe and beyond.
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  7. Pragmatism and Progressivism

  In lecture seven, we examine the rise of progressivism in early 20th-century America, where figures like Woodrow Wilson, William James, and John Dewey challenged traditions of individualism and limited government in favor of collective reform. Rooted in pragmatism—America’s distinctive philosophy—progressives stressed practical results over abstract theory while expanding public roles in education, charity, and social justice. The lecture concludes by comparing seven major educational philosophies, from classical to progressive, and addressing tensions between pragmatism’s practicality and its alliance with socialist ideologies.
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  8. The Montessori Method

  In our eighth and final lecture, we learn about Maria Montessori’s revolutionary approach, developed in 1907 Rome through her work with intellectually disabled children. Rooted in Locke-inspired empiricism, Montessori emphasized sensory-based, hands-on, and self-directed learning. Contrasting with Dewey’s socially-focused progressivism, her approach fosters independence, creativity, and problem-solving. Dr. Hicks concludes by linking Montessori's method to the modern entrepreneurial economy, suggesting her approach is well-suited to develop the critical thinking and adaptability needed in today’s rapidly changing career landscape.