Podcast Summary: The Charlie Kirk Show – "What is Education? What is Truth? What is Beauty?" Featuring David Goodwin
Introduction In the February 21, 2025 episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk engages in a profound dialogue with David Goodwin, President of the American Association for Christian Classical Schools (AACS). The conversation delves into the fundamental questions: What is education? What is truth? What is beauty? This episode offers listeners an insightful exploration of classical Christian education and its role in modern society.
Defining Education: Cultivation of Wisdom and Virtue Charlie Kirk opens the discussion by posing a simple yet profound question to David Goodwin: “What is education?” (00:34). David responds by defining education within the classical Christian framework as “the cultivation of wisdom and virtue” (01:43). He emphasizes that education is not merely about imparting facts but about fostering discernment and moral character.
Classical vs. Industrial Education Models Goodwin contrasts classical education with the industrial model prevalent in government and many private schools. He explains that the industrial model, inspired by early 20th-century progressives like John Dewey, focuses on preparing students for vocational roles, often at the expense of cultivating critical thinking and citizenship (03:23). In contrast, classical education aims to enculturate students, shaping their character and ability to discern truth from falsehood (02:37).
The Importance of Discernment and Critical Thinking A significant portion of the conversation centers on the necessity for students to develop the ability to discern truth in an age overwhelmed by information and misinformation. Goodwin states, “The real challenge is getting students who can discern truth from falsehood as they learn” (04:13). He describes classroom settings where students engage in dialogue-based learning, analyzing ancient texts to align them with Christian truths, thereby honing their critical thinking skills (04:46).
Failures of Modern Public Education Goodwin criticizes modern public education for its shift away from classical principles. He attributes this decline to deliberate policy changes influenced by progressive ideologies, which prioritize industrial training over comprehensive education. He remarks, “John Dewey brings in and our schools are immediately reoriented towards just basically programming kids to do” (05:14), highlighting how education has become geared toward producing obedient workers rather than informed citizens.
Practical Checklist for Parents Addressing concerned parents, Goodwin offers a practical checklist to evaluate the quality of a child's education:
- Age of Reading Comprehensive Books: Parents should ask, “At what age do they read a full book cover to cover?” (16:05).
- Introduction to Classic Literature: Inquire about the presence of books older than 100 years in the curriculum.
- Teaching of Cursive Writing: Understanding when and how cursive is taught can indicate an emphasis on beauty and fine motor skills.
He underscores the alarming reality that some high school students have never read an entire book, describing it as “a national security crisis” (17:57).
Embracing Objective Truth and Beauty Goodwin asserts the importance of teaching absolute truth, stating, “We start with the precept that there is absolute truth. And the reason that's important is that everything else becomes pointless if you don't believe that” (11:55). He links this to the classical educational focus on truth, goodness, and beauty as the three transcendental truths (18:44). The conversation highlights how classical education fosters an appreciation for aesthetics and deep intellectual engagement, contrasting sharply with the superficiality often found in modern education systems.
The Role of Classical Education in Contemporary Society Goodwin expresses optimism about the resurgence of classical Christian education, particularly in the wake of cultural shifts and political changes. He acknowledges the growing energy behind this movement, noting increased support and the strategic push from leaders like Governor DeSantis in Florida (25:08). Goodwin emphasizes that classical education is becoming the dominant alternative to public schooling, offering a viable path forward against what he terms "cultural Marxism" (25:33).
Historical Context and Influence Drawing historical parallels, Goodwin references Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations of American education and its unique approach to cultivating informed citizens. He also discusses the impact of the Blaine Amendments, which sought to exclude Catholic education but ultimately led to the proliferation of Catholic schools that paralleled progressive education trends (27:03).
Encouraging Participation and Support Towards the end of the episode, Goodwin encourages listeners to support the classical Christian education movement by visiting their website, classicalchristian.org, to find or start classical schools. He stresses the importance of community involvement in restoring quality education that aligns with timeless truths and virtues (28:22).
Conclusion The episode concludes with Charlie Kirk expressing gratitude to David Goodwin for his insights and encouraging listeners to take actionable steps towards enhancing their children's education. Kirk reiterates the importance of freedom and the ongoing fight to restore American educational excellence (29:53).
Notable Quotes
- David Goodwin (01:43): “Education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue.”
- David Goodwin (04:13): “The real challenge is getting students who can discern truth from falsehood as they learn.”
- David Goodwin (11:55): “We start with the precept that there is absolute truth.”
- David Goodwin (17:57): “I don't know if they ever believed that, but that's certainly what they want us to believe because cultural Marxism has a very strong set of ideals that are transcendent in their view.”
- David Goodwin (25:33): “They want the west to go away.”
Final Thoughts This episode of The Charlie Kirk Show provides a compelling argument for the adoption of classical Christian education as a remedy to the perceived shortcomings of modern educational systems. Through David Goodwin’s expertise, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how classical education fosters critical thinking, moral virtue, and an appreciation for truth and beauty, ultimately aiming to produce well-rounded, informed citizens capable of self-governance.
For more insights and to support the movement, visit classicalchristian.org or explore additional resources at charliekirk.com.