Lectures on the Harvard Classics

Short History of Greek Philosophy by John Marshall.

History of Ancient Greek philosophy from pre-Socratics to Aristotle and on to the Sceptics and the Stoics.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

History and Literature of the Early Church by James Orr.

This little book in its original form was one of the volumes of the Christian Study Manuals series (1901), and as such was found helpful to many in colleges and elsewhere engaged in the study of early church history. In explanation of its contents it may be stated that the book is based on the extended lectures on early church history given by the author when Professor of Church History in Edinburgh.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Brief History of English and American Literature by Henry A. Beers.

Henry Augustin Beers, native of Buffalo, NY and professor of English at Yale, with the help of John Fletcher Hurst (1834-1903), Methodist bishop and first Chancellor of American University, has written a sweeping thousand 900 year history of English literature, up to the end of the 19th century. Although at times biased and sometimes misguided (as when he dismisses Mark Twain as a humorist noteworthy in his time but not for the ages), his research is sound and his criticism is interesting and quite often very balanced. In addition, the last chapter of each part is Hurst's synopsis of religious and theological literature in the language. This book is interesting for its point of view, but also useful as a jumping-off point for those interested in reading the classics.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Brief History of English and American Literature by Henry A. Beers.

Henry Augustin Beers, native of Buffalo, NY and professor of English at Yale, with the help of John Fletcher Hurst (1834-1903), Methodist bishop and first Chancellor of American University, has written a sweeping thousand 900 year history of English literature, up to the end of the 19th century. Although at times biased and sometimes misguided (as when he dismisses Mark Twain as a humorist noteworthy in his time but not for the ages), his research is sound and his criticism is interesting and quite often very balanced. In addition, the last chapter of each part is Hurst's synopsis of religious and theological literature in the language. This book is interesting for its point of view, but also useful as a jumping-off point for those interested in reading the classics.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume.

The Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding is a shortened and simplified version of Hume's masterpiece A Treatise of Human Nature. It sought to reach a wider audience, and to dispel some of the virulent criticism addressed toward the former book. In it, Hume explains his theory of epistemology, and argues against other current theories, including those of John Locke, George Berkeley, and Nicolas Malebranche.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

United Kingdom House of Commons Speeches Collection, volume 3.

Readings are of speeches originally given by Queens Elizabeth I and Victoria, and by parliamentarians Edmund Burke, Herbert Asquith, Winston Churchill, Barbara Castle, Margaret Thatcher and Michael Foot.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. These memos survive and continue to inspire others to this day. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs. He explicates the Stoic philosophy that the only way a man can be harmed by others is to allow his reaction to overpower him. He shows no particular religious faith in his writings, but seems to believe that some sort of logical, benevolent force organizes the universe in such a way that even "bad" occurrences happen for the good of the whole.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.

The New Atlantis by Francis Bacon.

New Atlantis is a utopian novel by Sir Francis Bacon, published posthumously in 1626. It appeared unheralded and tucked into the back of a longer work of natural history, Sylva Sylvarum ("Forest of Materials"). In New Atlantis, Bacon portrays a vision of the future of human discovery and knowledge, expressing his aspirations and ideals for humankind. The novel depicts the creation of a utopian land where "generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendour, piety and public spirit" are the commonly held qualities of the inhabitants of the mythical Bensalem. The plan and organisation of his ideal college, Salomon's House (or Solomon's House), prefigured the modern research university in both applied and pure sciences.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain audiobook.

This episode includes AI-generated content.

"Lectures on the Harvard Classics Part 1" by Charles William Eliot and William Allan Neilson serves as a profound exploration of the essential works that shape Western literature and thought. This collection emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education, advocating for the value of classic literature in understanding human nature and society. The themes of intellectual growth and the necessity of engaging with timeless ideas resonate strongly today, reminding us of the enduring relevance of these foundational texts. Eliot and Neilson's insights encourage listeners to reflect on the role of literature in personal development and cultural literacy, presenting a compelling case for the integration of classic works into contemporary education. By revisiting these lectures, audiences can appreciate the lasting impact of the Harvard Classics and their significance in fostering critical thinking and moral understanding.

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Phaedo by Plato (Πλάτων).

Plato's Phaedo is one of the great dialogues of his middle period, along with the Republic and the Symposium. The Phaedo, which depicts the death of Socrates, is also Plato's seventh and last dialogue to detail the philosopher's final days (the first six being Theaetetus, Euthyphro, Sophist, Statesman, Apology, and Crito). In the dialogue, Socrates discusses the nature of the afterlife on his last day before being executed by drinking hemlock. Socrates has been imprisoned and sentenced to death by an Athenian jury for not believing in the gods of the state and for corrupting the youth of the city. The dialogue is told from the perspective of one of Socrates' students, Phaedo of Elis. Having been present at Socrates' death bed, Phaedo relates the dialogue from that day to Echecrates, a fellow philosopher.

Featured on Lectures on the Harvard Classics.

Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org).

This episode includes AI-generated content.