In this lecture Academy headmaster Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. guides students through Book I, Chapter 1 of Aristotle’s Rhetoric, one of the most influential works in the history of education. Written around 350 BC, Aristotle’s Rhetoric presents a systematic treatment of the art of persuasion. It teaches that rhetoric, far from being manipulation or flattery, is a logical art—a disciplined method for discovering the means of persuasion through reason. This first chapter establishes the relationship between rhetoric and dialectic, defines rhetoric as an art grounded in logic, and defends its role in the education of wise and virtuous citizens. What You’ll Learn How rhetoric and logic work together as sister arts of reasoning. Why all men naturally engage in rhetorical and dialectical activity. What an enthymeme is and why it forms the heart of true persuasion. Aristotle’s critique of teachers who rely on emotional manipulation. The four reasons rhetoric is valuable and necessary in public life. Why rhetoric, like medicine, aims to discover the means of its art rather than guarantee results. How rhetoric can and should serve truth and justice, not deception. Key Ideas to Remember Rhetoric and dialectic are natural human arts of reasoning. True rhetoric is grounded in logical credibility, not emotion. Enthymemes are rhetorical syllogisms that prove by reason. Laws should be precise to limit the role of emotional persuasion. Rhetoric is valuable because truth and justice are naturally stronger than their opposites. Studying both sides of a question trains the mind for defense of truth. The purpose of rhetoric is not to force agreement but to discover persuasion through reason. Course Information This lecture is part of TRV-381: Classical Rhetoric, one of the Academy’s courses in the Trivium. Students learn Aristotle’s complete Rhetoric alongside classical models of argumentation, imitation, and expression used throughout Catholic tradition and Scholastic education. If you’re not yet enrolled, you can begin self-paced studies in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy at: https://classicalliberalarts.com For assistance or course support, visit: https://classicalliberalarts.com/support

Welcome to the Classical Liberal Arts Academy. In this lecture, Academy headmaster William C. Michael leads students through Book I, Chapter 1 of Nicomachus of Gerasa’s "Introduction to Arithmetic" — one of the foundational texts of classical and Scholastic education. This lesson explores the philosophical origins of mathematics and its relationship to wisdom. Nicomachus teaches that true wisdom concerns eternal, unchanging realities, and that mathematical study belongs to this higher order of truth. Drawing on the Pythagorean tradition, he distinguishes between practical skill and theoretical knowledge, showing why mathematics is a path to wisdom. What You’ll Learn: The meaning of philosophy as the love of wisdom. How Pythagoras first made science systematic. Why true wisdom concerns unchanging, immaterial realities. The difference between material and immaterial things. Why mathematical objects — like numbers and geometric forms — are eternal and unchanging. How the study of mathematics leads the soul toward truth and God. Key Ideas to Remember Philosophy means “love of wisdom.” True wisdom is knowledge of unchanging realities. Mathematical objects are immaterial and eternal. Mathematics is a proper path to wisdom because it studies eternal truths. About the Classical Liberal Arts Academy The Classical Liberal Arts Academy (CLAA) is dedicated to restoring and teaching the complete classical Catholic curriculum — the Trivium and Quadrivium — in the spirit of the great Catholic teachers and philosophers. If you’re not yet enrolled, you can join us for self-paced studies at: https://classicalliberalarts.com For help or support, visit: https://classicalliberalarts.com/support #ClassicalEducation #Arithmetic #Nicomachus #LiberalArts #CatholicEducation #Mathematics #Philosophy #Wisdom #WilliamMichael #ClassicalLiberalArtsAcademy

In this talk, Mr. William C. Michael, headmaster of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, explains why modern men are frustrated by their struggle to speak or write well, and how this weakness can be remedied.

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com

In this talk, Mr. William C. Michael, headmaster of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy leads students through Aesop's Fable of the Sheep-Biter.

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com

In this talk, Mr. William C. Michael of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy share's nine things that are necessary for success in homeschooling:

Collaboration Principles Organization Realistic Expectations Resilience Patience Contentment Spirituality Ongoing Relations

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com

In this talk, Mr. William C. Michael of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy share's nine things that are necessary for success in homeschooling:

1. Collaboration
2. Principles
3. Organization
4. Realistic Expectations
5. Resilience
6. Patience
7. Contentment
8. Spirituality
9. Ongoing Relations

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com

"As a father, my duty is to give my children the best possible chances to remain catholics. And statistics clearly show that this is better achieved in traditional parishes that offer Mass using the 1962 missal."

Is this claim true? Where are these statistics? What do they actually show?

In this talk, Mr. William C. Michael of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy examines the Latin Mass vs. Novus Ordo statistics discussed in Latin Mass circles and shows that the claims made are fallacious.

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com

Did you know that 70% of children baptized in the Catholic Church do not attend Catholic schools? Did you know that 25% of those baptized children don't receive Confirmation?

Maybe the reason so many young adults leave the Catholic Church is that they were never given access to Catholic education?

In this talk, Mr. William C. Michael of the Classical Liberal Arts Academy explains how the Academy is working to change Catholic education in the future and help the 70%, making Catholic education available to all children.

Mr. William C. Michael, O.P. Headmaster Classical Liberal Arts Academy https://classicalliberalarts.com