Why Classical Education Now?
- Victor Carpay
- Nov 26, 2025
- 1 min read
Dr. Topping joins Lisa Canning of Wayside Academy in Ontario for a webinar to discuss the importance of Classical Education.
The webinar was well attended. Dr. Topping presented a slideshow that visually illustrated the origins of classical versus progressive education.
His presentation convincingly made the case that classical education is the form of education most consonant with the Church’s vision of the human person.
Dr. Topping’s discussion identified the three questions that classical (and any other form of) education answers: Who are we (anthropology)? Why are we educating (goals, metrics)? How do we educate (curriculum, pedagogy)?
Who are we? We find the answer in Homo Christus, the man Jesus Christ. We are body and soul, made in the image of God. Therefore, we are made for heaven, and all our educational activities should be judged in light of that end.
Why are we educating? We are educating because humans need culture, happiness, and virtue, and these goods assist man in his ascent to sainthood.
How do we accomplish it? Liberal arts and crafts help the person to imitate before inventing. Christ is our main exemplar. But we also need to imitate the emotional patterns within good music, the greatest ideas, and the loftiest sacrifices. Through imitation of the good, true and beautiful, we grow in virtue. It is only after nourishing our souls and receiving the good that we may offer it to others in new ways.
We hope that you watch this video recording of the webinar if you missed the occasion to be there via Zoom.
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