Classics and the Western Canon discussion
Introductions
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Please introduce yourself~
Tamara wrote: "... Another introvert here who loves books. But I'm not in IT. Technology freaks me out sometimes. I live in fear that I'll hit the wrong key or push the wrong button and do irreparable damage to something.We are a diverse group and come at things from different angles and perspectives--which always makes for interesting discussions. ... "
IT folks always fear they will hit the wrong button. What we really love, though, is fixing the messes we make! Fixing something broken gives us a very good feeling!
I was thinking about not linking IT & books together in my greeting message. IT folks are usually introverted and book lovers are also. I suspect many of the IT introverts do gaming instead of reading. I liked seeing fellow IT'ers here who love reading. When going to school and in most of my career I was interested in the STEM stuff mainly. Very little of humanities. Now is my time for broadening my interests to include what I excluded in my youth.
I have been part of this group for awhile. Haven't made enough time to read the same books at the same time (different drummer, mine?) but do read the discussions, especially for books I've read already.
Good group!
Cphe wrote: "12:33 Christmas Day in Australia.Merry Christmas to everyone and happy reading to one and all in 2018"
Merry Christmas to you too! Santa brought me Eudora Welty: Stories, Essays, and Memoirs. He must be lurking in the group.
Hi all, I am a former English major (also Computer Science, because a girl has to eat) and now am a Docent and the Getty (Villa). I am cramming as much classical literature and mythology down my gullet as I can manage. I'm fortunate to find people who really love to read classic literature and share their love with others. I hope to find the same kind of people in this group.
Cathy wrote: "Hi all, I am a former English major (also Computer Science, because a girl has to eat) and now am a Docent and the Getty (Villa). I am cramming as much classical literature and mythology down my gu..."Welcome. If you're looking for people who love to read and discuss classic literature, you're certainly in the right place.
We start Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics on January 3rd; you can't get much more classic than that! And the discussion, based on our past experience, will be deep and rich, but not so erudite as to discourage those who will be encountering Aristotle for the first time and will be encouraged to participate actively in the discussion.
Everyman wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Hi all, I am a former English major (also Computer Science, because a girl has to eat) and now am a Docent and the Getty (Villa). I am cramming as much classical literature and mythol..."
Everyman wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Hi all, I am a former English major (also Computer Science, because a girl has to eat) and now am a Docent and the Getty (Villa). I am cramming as much classical literature and mythol..."
Cathy wrote: "Hi all, I am a former English major (also Computer Science..."Hi Cathy. Its nice to see Computer Science/IT getting some recognition. There are only 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary, and those who do not. When it comes to books I look forward to hearing from both. Welcome to the group.
David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Hi all, I am a former English major (also Computer Science..."Hi Cathy. Its nice to see Computer Science/IT getting some recognition. There are only 10 kinds of people. Those who un..."
Hah! I introduce myself by mentioning my age is 2 to the 6th. That pretty quickly tells me who my audience is.
Cathy wrote: "David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Hi all, I am a former English major (also Computer Science..."Hi Cathy. Its nice to see Computer Science/IT getting some recognition. There are only 10 kinds of people..."
Ahh David & Cathy, fellow instances in same class (if my object programming terminolgy is correct. I am old school programmer.).Nice binary joke David. And Cathy, I am 110 years older than you!
Hi! I'm a philosophy major who is expected to graduate soon. I love reading philosophy and I want to continue reading philosophy after I graduate. I also really like reading Stephen King and sort of have made it my life's goal to read every single one of Stephen King's books. After taking a World Literature class, I realized how much I wanted to read the classics. I'm particularly interested in reading Dante's The Divine Comedy. I'd also like to read more Dostoyevsky as well as more ancient literature from Greece and Rome. I see that the group is currently reading Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. I am somewhat familiar with the work, and I'm excited to see what the discussion brings!
Katie wrote: "Hi! I'm a philosophy major who is expected to graduate soon. I love reading philosophy and I want to continue reading philosophy after I graduate. I also really like reading Stephen King and sort o..."Hi Katie. Welcome to Classics and the Western Canon. Occasionally we revisit a previously read book and we have open discussions on some of the books you mentioned. Feel free to read them and comment on any one of them at any time. Be sure to chime in on our current read as well. We look forward to hearing from you.
Hello everyone,I joined because I never read much classics and wanted to start now.
Shakib wrote: "Hello everyone,I joined because I never read much classics and wanted to start now."
Welcome, Shakib. You'll find plenty to enjoy here.
We are currently reading and discussing Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics. Feel free to jump in and join us whenever you're ready. Also, check out our discussion threads. They remain open so you can comment on them any time. We're glad you're here and look forward to getting to know you.
Hello everyone! I'm a retired attorney and currently work in a public library leading book discussions and offering suggestions to leisure readers. I have been a member of the University of Chicago's Basic Program of Liberal Studies for nearly 30 years. Currently I'm part of a sequence reading works from the Middle Ages or which reflect upon them. Next semester's titles are Dante's Purgatorio, Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy, Maimonides' Guide of the Perplexed, and Hildegard von Bingen's Scivias. A few years ago I was in a three-quarter course on Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics. I hope to be able to join in some of the current discussion and look forward to future titles and discussions.
Donna wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm a retired attorney and currently work in a public library leading book discussions and offering suggestions to leisure readers. I have been a member of the University of Chicago..."Hi Donna--and welcome!
Judging by the sequence of works you are currently reading, you'll fit right in with this group.
Thomas is moderating the discussion on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. We are currently on Book 7. All the threads remain open so feel free comment on any of the books. We look forward to your participation.
Donna wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm a retired attorney and currently work in a public library leading book discussions and offering suggestions to leisure readers. I have been a member of the University of Chicago..."Hi Donna -- We can use all the help we can get with Aristotle, so feel free to drop in on any of the threads. It's one of the most challenging books we've tackled here. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Welcome to the group!
Hi everyone! I'm a high school student and I am very motivated to read books in this genre. My goal is to read a lot of those books everyone "needs" to read and learn something! As a result, my book taste is rather strange and sophisticated in comparison to my peers. I would like to read books that shaped politics of the western world, such as Plato and Voltaire. I want to understand politics from a different perspective, drawing from philosophy, morals, and ethics debated by the people this group often has discussions on. (I like that Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is a current topic since it is a book I want to read!)
I really like classical literature, especially those of antiquity; as well as classics. I know these books have great lessons on the human condition that I want to learn. Also, I happen to have a slight obsession with the Divine Comedy, in case you were wondering.
I am here because the books this group discusses are the types I want to read and learn from. I apologize in advance if I don't participate often. I am looking forward to the insights this group has to offer!
Giovanna wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm a high school student and I am very motivated to read books in this genre. My goal is to read a lot of those books everyone "needs" to read and learn something! As a result, my boo..."Welcome, Giovanna!
A high school student who loves classical literature? How wonderful! We are thrilled to have you join us. You are under no pressure to participate if you don't want to, but I sincerely hope you will consider jumping in with your comments and insights.
I used to teach at a college before I retired. I love retirement because it affords me the time to read and write, but I do miss certain things about working in a college environment. One of the things I miss the most is learning from my students. Their approach to literature with their young, fresh eyes helped me to see aspects of a work I had previously overlooked even though I had read it many times over. It was such a refreshing and exhilarating experience. So don't hesitate to comment and share your perspective. You're among friends here.
Giovanna wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm a high school student and I am very motivated to read books in this genre. My goal is to read a lot of those books everyone "needs" to read and learn something! As a result, my boo..."Welcome! You're in the right place to read those books that have shaped the Western world.
Kevin, welcome to Classics and the Western Canon. You found a great group for discussing the some of the early foundations of epistemology, political philosophy, and psychology. We look forward to reading contributions from you in our discussions.
Kevin wrote: "...In my free time, I work as a lawyer. I live in an unincorporated region next to a lake in Ontario, Canada....";-0 That sounds like a livable life! I hope it is one of those beautiful lakes I associate with your country.
Now that you have posted here, I shall look forward to watching the number along your name increase on the member list! But more so, to reading your insights.
Seeing as Ontario has more than 250k lakes I can guarantee your exact location will be safe forever.
My name is Alec, I'm 19, and live on Canada's east coast. I'm studying to be a journalist and as part of my degree I took a one year intensive great books programme. I love journalism but miss discussing literature and philosophy so I figures that this group would be perfect for me to get back into the swing of things! :)
Alec wrote: "My name is Alec, I'm 19, and live on Canada's east coast. I'm studying to be a journalist and as part of my degree I took a one year intensive great books programme. I love journalism but miss disc..."Welcome, Alec! It's good to have you join us. We look forward to reading your comments and insights.
Currently, we're a little over half way through the Odyssey. Feel free to jump in any time with your thoughts. This will be followed by a short interim read. And soon we will be setting up the poll for our next major read. Be on the lookout for that and be sure to cast your vote.
Hi, all,I gravitate toward the classics section most of the time. My favorite classic authors are Dostoevsky, Nabokov, Salinger, Kafka, Steinbeck, and Orwell, but many others as well. I'm also a writer. Aside from several non-fiction articles on science and history, I wrote a novel that is like a blend of Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake" and Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath."
Jared wrote: "Hi, all,I gravitate toward the classics section most of the time. My favorite classic authors are Dostoevsky, Nabokov, Salinger, Kafka, Steinbeck, and Orwell, but many others as well. I'm also a ..."
Welcome to the group, Jared. just in time to vote for our next big read. You can go here to see the list:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
We will be posting the poll Tuesday/Wed of this week and members will have a week to vote. I hope you see something you like. We look forward to hearing from you in our discussions.
Hi, all! My name is Candace. Though I am an equal opportunity book enthusiast, I have only recently rediscovered my appreciation for the classics. I'm really looking forward to participating in some lively discussions, and this group looks like the perfect place for that.
Hi Candace, and welcome. We think this is a perfect place for that too.Be sure and look over the choices add your two cents to the discussion for our next read here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... and be ready to vote for your favorite. Also feel free to look over any of the discussions and post, they are always open. We are currently reading: Odyssey by Homer; the discussion may be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group... We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi, David. Thank you for the welcome! I didn't get over to the other discussion thread before the poll went up, but I'm excited to see which book is chosen.
Candace wrote: "Hi, David. Thank you for the welcome! I didn't get over to the other discussion thread before the poll went up, but I'm excited to see which book is chosen."I see you voted, thanks. Feel free to search our past discussions. They are all viewable and you can still post to them if you want to rekindle a discussion and I am sure someone will respond.
Hello.
I'm new here. I've dabbled in Great Books for most of my life. I've also read a lot of trash. I love science fiction and would defend the best of it against the best of anything else. "Sturgeon's Law" applies: 90% of everything is crud.
Nearing 40, I've arrived at the conclusion that most of my future reading should be re-reading the books I already love. New-to-me books should either be Great Old Ones, Very Good Ones, or New Ones I Am Reading For A Very Good Reason (I already love the author, someone I respect has recommended it, the book is on a topic dear to me, etc). I'm hoping that this group will be a place that motivates me to read the Great Old Ones. I plan on reading along with the group reads. I'll contribute to discussions if I think I have anything worthwhile to add.
What's the group read after Moby Dick?
I'm new here. I've dabbled in Great Books for most of my life. I've also read a lot of trash. I love science fiction and would defend the best of it against the best of anything else. "Sturgeon's Law" applies: 90% of everything is crud.
Nearing 40, I've arrived at the conclusion that most of my future reading should be re-reading the books I already love. New-to-me books should either be Great Old Ones, Very Good Ones, or New Ones I Am Reading For A Very Good Reason (I already love the author, someone I respect has recommended it, the book is on a topic dear to me, etc). I'm hoping that this group will be a place that motivates me to read the Great Old Ones. I plan on reading along with the group reads. I'll contribute to discussions if I think I have anything worthwhile to add.
What's the group read after Moby Dick?
Oedipuss wrote: "Hello.I'm new here. I've dabbled in Great Books for most of my life. I've also read a lot of trash. I love science fiction and would defend the best of it against the best of anything else. "Stur..."
Oedipuss -- welcome here! Hope you will join the discussions. It is a Goodreads board that is continuing its legacy of close examination of the classics after the loss of its creator and long-time lead moderator, Everyman. Its strength has always depended on those willing to share, oftentimes even the briefest of insights or probings.
A major read is usually followed by an interim read selected by the moderators, to provide time for closure and to select the next major read. In general, the candidates are chosen by a random selection process from the group's book list. (The moderators may provide more details as the time comes.)
Hi, I can't remember if I've introduced myself. My name is Kirsten and I live in (very smoky) eastern Washington state. I'm on disability and live with my mother and senior (19 years old) Australian Shepherd mix. I love reading the classics. I am getting a new appreciation for Dickens and am looking forward to reading more Hardy and would love to start Trollope.
I'm also thinking about reading some French and German literature.
Welcome Oedipuss and Kirsten. I hope you enjoy great discussions around great books. Oedipuss, its hard to argue against deciding on quality at any age. Kirsten, I have an Australian Cattle Dog, those Aussie breeds are great, even if the shepherd is from Texas :)Welcome to the group, both of you. We hope to hear from you in the discussions. Feel free to jump right in on Moby-Dick. As Lily said we will have a two week interim read after Moby-Dick and then you can vote on the next big read from a mostly random selection of 10 books from the group's bookshelf.
Thank you for the warm welcome.
I'll "stay tuned" to the message boards for the interim read announcement and I'll definitely vote in the next poll.
I'll "stay tuned" to the message boards for the interim read announcement and I'll definitely vote in the next poll.
I'll add that I am very sorry to read about the loss of Everyman. It must be difficult for the group to go on without him. I didn't know him at all and I'm already sad to be experiencing the group without him.
Hi. I am Cynda Garza. Earned a bachelors and did graduate work in literature and rhetoric. All but my thesis. Life changes. My second field is history, primarily US and Western women. I am developing an appreciation for history of thought. I have taught some at a local private high school and at university when Inwas going my graduate work. I have been publishing some short literary works for my old university. I have sold many services, in person and over the phone. I practice hatha yoga, color, make some craft jewelry. I am disabled/retired and now take the opportunity to volunteer at the local YWCA where I teach some yoga, lead a coloring group, and occassionally do other work as asked and feel capable of doing.My new GR friend Sam told me that you all were reading Sir Gwaine and the Green Knight, so here I am to read with. I have just finished reading the Henriad, so I maybe stopping by that discussion as well.
I am glad to be here to learn and share.
Cynda wrote: "Hi. I am Cynda Garza. Earned a bachelors and did graduate work in literature and rhetoric. All but my thesis. Life changes. My second field is history, primarily US and Western women. I am developi..."Hey Cynda,
You're doing better than me, I've been meaning to post here since I joined the group but what can I say - ooops :)
Hey & Hello all,Looking through the discussions this is ideal for the things I have been reading this year, which, y'know I hope to continue next year.
I'm an accidental classicist, I became interested in these works via - well a really long about route - and I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying reading these works. I just did not expect that.
So, I'm like a beginner here, I'm not sure what I can contribute. Reading some of the threads, wow!!! but I will try
as I continue my journey through next year to get a better handle on these works. Looking forward to that. Best
Welcome Cynda and Inkspill,We're glad you found us. Our threads stay open, so feel free to browse and comment on anything that interests you. As you mentioned, Cynda, we are currently reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as our short interim read. We will follow that with Phantastes as our first major read for the year. Make sure you vote when the poll comes up for our next major read.
Jump in with your comments any time. We look forward to hearing from you.
I've looked in on goodreads for years now, but never created an account before recently. I think I've always suspected I wouldn't be very good at reviewing books despite loving literature, or if I took it seriously I would need to break up my reading by taking copious notes. But I've loved reading my whole as long as I can remember, and I began seriously exploring the classics about 15 years ago.I studied literature briefly at university in Canada but decided it wasn't for me. I like reading scholarly works on the subject because it didn't feel right for me to study it academically. Now I am taking a history program in Sweden. My dream has always been to become a writer, even though my intense self-criticism has held me back from even trying to get anything published.
I suppose some people would think me snobbish in my literature tastes, because I like very little written after 1950, but I just can't help feeling that something has disappeared that was present in the classics.
I am greatly worried about the state of modern culture. I am not under any illusions that my ideas on the subject are particularly popular, but my hope is to be able to meet and discuss with others who share similar views.
Hi, Just found this group - better late than never!I'm a 55 year old Chartered Accountant working for a private construction business in Geelong, Victoria. Married with two kids aged 19 and 21. My background is all maths, science, and music. I graduated from Imperial College London with a BSc in Chemical Engineering and then went on to do my articles in a medium sized London accountancy firm. Originally from London, we emigrated to Australia in 2011. Over the last few years i've taken an interest in current affairs, politics, economics etc. However, I quickly realised that I had a large hole in my body of knowledge left by a lack of a liberal arts education. This led me to the Great Books of the Western World and a realisation that I actually knew very little about not very much! It also demonstrated that, despite being classed as "educated" and fairly literate in my immediate circle of friends, that I was in fact ignorant of a great deal of human knowledge and understanding. Anway, tempus fugit, and I though I better get cracking on redressing the situation. Hopefully finding this group will make the journey more fun and enjoyable. Mick
Mick wrote: "It also demonstrated that, despite being classed as "educated" and fairly literate in my immediate circle of friends, that I was in fact ignorant of a great deal of human knowledge and understanding...."Welcome, Mick. And to civilization. A bone I will always pick with Aristotle is whether humility ought be considered a valuable value. Personal attitude -- what other possibility is realistic in the face of the vast universe we have the privilege of observing?
Do join the discussions here. Participation varies as our individual lives take us in a multitude of directions, but this is a place to have fun with the (occasionally) profound. ;-0
Existential wrote: "...My dream has always been to become a writer, even though my intense self-criticism has held me back from even trying to get anything published...."E -- you might find encouraging a book I am currently enjoying, after a slow start: Still Writing, by Dani Shapiro. One of the stories she tells is of Agnes de Mille descrying her success with the dream ballet sequence in Oklahoma! and of her friend Martha Graham later saying to her: "...[your] expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist...It is not your business to [judge]....No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. ..only... a blessed unrest that keeps us [creating]. pp. 117-118
Welcome here. We hope you use it as a place to share, to test, to give to the world in the midst of what the eons have bequeathed us.
Existential wrote: "I've looked in on goodreads for years now, but never created an account before recently. I think I've always suspected I wouldn't be very good at reviewing books despite loving literature, or if I ..."Welcome, Existential. Sorry for the delay in welcoming you to our group, but my notifications on Goodreads seem to have gone on the blink temporarily, so I've only just seen your message.
I think you will find a lot of kindred spirits here--people who share your concern about the state of modern culture and who find greater value in works written before the 1950s.
We are just finishing up our first major read for 2019. This will be followed by a short interim read. And then we will tackle Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville. I hope you will join us in what I'm sure will be a vigorous discussion of this important work. I look forward to your participation.
Classics and the Western Canon
Books mentioned in this topic
Metamorphoses (other topics)Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic (other topics)
The Portrait of a Lady (other topics)
Ficciones (other topics)
Dracula (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Søren Kierkegaard (other topics)Dorothy L. Sayers (other topics)
John Ciardi (other topics)
Alexis de Tocqueville (other topics)
Dani Shapiro (other topics)
More...
Welcome, Bob. It's good to have you on board.
Another introvert here who loves books. But I'm not in IT. Technology freaks me out sometimes. I live in fear that I'll hit the wrong key or push the wrong button and do irreparable damage to something.
We are a diverse group and come at things from different angles and perspectives--which always makes for interesting discussions. We are finishing up the interim reads and will start Aristotle on January 3. Feel free to jump in with your thoughts and ideas any time.