Literature and the American College

by Irving Babbitt

In a classic work, originally published in 1908, Babbitt defines and defends the discipline of "humanitas" and argues that is it better to follow the "wisdom of the ages" rather than the "wisdom of the hour." 5 cassettes.

Genres: Nonfiction, Literature, Education, History, Literary Criticism

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1908

About the author

New humanism movement of American scholar Irving Babbitt sought to revive interest in classical virtues in literary criticism.

Irving Babbitt, a noted academic, in his role from 1910 founded a known, significant influence on discussion and conservative thought in the period. He in the cultural tradition of Matthew Arnold consistently opposed romanticism, as the writings of Jean Jacques Rousseau represented. Politically, he without serious distortion followed Aristotle and Edmund Burke. He advocated and offered an ecumenical defense of religion. He implied a broad knowledge of various moral and religious traditions.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_B...

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find Irving Babbitt a kindred soul. He has a congenial point of view about what makes for great literature and art in general. His book on Rousseau and Romanticism is a brilliant analysis of the modern philosophy of art. There are a few cogent points made in this book. I cannot help but believe that the education in America would benefit from following Babbitt's advice in this book. However, his point of view had little effect on Harvard at the time that he presented his ideas, and things have gone downhill since then. I have little hope that anyone will be influenced by the ideas in this book today. Nor does this book do much in the way of convincing anyone. If you are interested in knowing the whys and wherefores of Babbitt's point of view, I recommend his book on Rousseau and Romanticism.

[Christopher Rush · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babbitt has some fine ideas, indeed, and many of his arguments are sound and worth digesting. Unfortunately, he wraps much of it in an aura that many today likely will interpret as smugness or, that great shame, "privilege." His world of elite men going to college for scholarship is rapidly turning into universal college for athletics and a concomitant dumbing down of the curriculum. He, of course, laments that situation. We, of course, know he was far more right than he thought he was - people seem to be offended today when you talk about going to college for an education instead of athletic prowess or jobmoneyskills. I hesitate to think how Babbitt would respond to the existence of my Pre-College Composition course for college students who need a bit of a refresher before college-level writing. I hesitate, also, to think how Babbitt would respond to what passes for normal college-level writing and analysis. He likely would brand me as one of those loathsome dilettantes who allow students to read modern poets and not the classics (in Greek and Latin). I would, of course, try to direct his attention to my own late twentieth-century public school education to foist the blame elsewhere. It worked so well in Genesis 3.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read an excerpt for classical pedagogy class. I'm intrigued by Babbitt's contrast between humanitarian education for the masses with classical education for the cultivation of the individual in virtue. Because the conversation stops there and doesn't show virtue to be a means towards Christlikeness which would put the care of others first, I'm left feeling a bit dissatisfied with his vision. I'm tempted to say that some of both instincts (e.g. education is for the lifting up of the common man and education is for the cultivation of the free man) are necessary, since Scripture calls us to serve and not to build an aristocratic bubble.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's much in Babbitt with which I disagree, but at the same time, I sympathize with some of his views. A more detailed summation of my views will be in the form of a blog post.

[Samuel Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly this important look at the role of the classics in American education is primarily of historic interest anymore. That it is still in print is noteworthy, although it is only being read by those who are already sensitive to the wisdom of former civilizations. We can hope, however, that our modern discontents might lead others to Babbitt's pages. An important book even if it is largely forgotten.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating attempt at defining humanism as it relates to life and literary criticism.

[David Withun · Rating 4 out of 5]

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