Scientia est libertas – Knowledge Is Freedom

This summer, our faculty engaged in a study of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, a dystopian novel that continues to resonate with readers nearly a century after its publication. This exercise wasn’t merely academic; it provided us with valuable insights into the importance of our classical education model in today’s world.

Huxley’s novel presents a society where stability and happiness are prioritized above all else, achieved through genetic engineering, social conditioning, and the suppression of individuality, emotions, and critical thinking. While this may seem far-fetched, many aspects of Huxley’s World State bear unsettling similarities to trends in our own society.

One of the most striking features of Huxley’s dystopia is its approach to education—or rather, indoctrination. Even from before birth, individuals are conditioned to fit predetermined societal roles. They are taught to consume mindlessly, to avoid deep emotions or relationships, and to seek instant gratification of their desires. History, literature, and religion are suppressed, robbing people of their cultural heritage and the ability to learn from the past.

As classical educators, we see in this dystopian vision the antithesis of our educational philosophy. Where the World State seeks to limit knowledge, we strive to instill it. Where they suppress critical thinking, we nurture it. Where they erase history, we emphasize its crucial importance in understanding our present and shaping our future.

Our study of Brave New World has reinforced our commitment to several key aspects of classical education:

1. Teaching History in Context: We believe in presenting history in its full complexity, helping students understand the richness of their cultural heritage and the lessons it offers for today.

2. Engaging with Classic Texts: Books like Brave New World itself demonstrate the enduring power of literature to shed light on the human condition and societal challenges.

3. Developing Critical Thinking: We aim to equip students with the tools to question, analyze, and think independently—skills that are more crucial than ever in our disinformation-saturated age.

4. Fostering Intellectual Challenge: Unlike the World State’s emphasis on comfort and ease, we believe in the value of intellectual struggle and the growth it engenders.

5. Cultivating Civic Responsibility: We strive to develop informed, engaged citizens who understand their role in shaping society.

In the novel, William Shakespeare represents the pinnacle of human self-understanding and serves as a shield against the dehumanizing forces of the World State. Similarly, we see our classical curriculum as a bulwark against forces in our society that might seek to simplify, streamline, or sanitize education at the cost of depth, complexity, and true human development.

As we navigate the challenges of educating in the 21st century, including rapid technological change and shifting societal norms, our study of Brave New World has reaffirmed our commitment to an education that values knowledge, critical thinking, and individual growth. We believe that by grounding students in the wisdom of the past, challenging them to think deeply, and encouraging them to question and explore, we are preparing them not just for success, but for lives of meaning and purpose.

We are reminded of our school motto: Scientia est libertas — Knowledge is freedom. In a world that sometimes echoes Huxley’s dystopia, we remain committed to providing an education that truly liberates the mind and spirit.

Torches Up!