Part of the Teaching Sovereign Knowers Collection

In recent years, a number of HeightsCast guests have touched on the same resounding theme: the modern creep of curiositas and acedia, both considered classical vices. But where there are two vices, Aristotle encourages us to look for a virtue at the Golden Mean.

Mr. Michael Moynihan, head of The Heights upper school, finds it in studiousness. Adding to his collection of work on Teaching Sovereign Knowers, this episode unpacks Michael’s essay “Intellectual Virtue and Personal Sovereignty,” available on the Heights Forum. In it, he speaks to the why and how of pursuing studiousness as an intellectual virtue. For this, as with all virtues, allows us to stand before reality in an intentional way.

Chapters:

• 3:43 Curiosity as an intellectual vice?
• 7:55 Acedia at the other end of the spectrum
• 10:15 Golden mean: studiousness
• 14:36 When is it curiositas, when is it engagement?
• 16:37 Studiousness as a virtue—of sorts
• 23:09 Standing before reality in an intentional way
• 26:23 Seeking the golden mean: sticking to a plan
• 29:21 Using “Great Books” well
• 34:46 Orienting students to the golden mean

Links:

• Intellectual Virtue and Personal Sovereignty by Michael Moynihan
• The Idea of a University by John Henry Cardinal Newman

Featured Opportunities:

• Headmaster’s Lecture at The Heights School (October 5, 2024)
• The Art of Teaching Conference at The Heights School (November 13-15, 2024)

Also on the Forum:

• Teaching Sovereign Knowers Collection by Michael Moynihan
• On Hope and Despair featuring R. J. Snell
• Forming Deep Workers featuring Cal Newport