Three Transcendentals
Three days after our official launch, we consider three transcendentals - through the lens of G.K. Chesterton.
The three transcendentals of truth, beauty, and goodness have been at the core of classical education and study since the ancient Greeks. These timeless properties exist beyond the material world, although we encounter them in different ways daily. We will consider these today as G.K. Chesterton, the patron of the Chesterton Academy of Mandan, did 100 years ago in England.
TRUTH
“Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.” - G.K. Chesterton
Students at the Mandan Classical Schools will study logic and learn how to identify fallacies (errors in reasoning) in their arguments, and the arguments of others. Identifying and removing fallacies strengthens arguments and ensures that all is ordered and directed toward the truth. We believe that truth is found ultimately in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ became man and was rejected by those who were healed and taught by him. As we celebrate this Easter octave, we remember the readings from the Triduum. Pontius Pilate asks Jesus, “What is truth?” as he chooses the popular sentiment - the fashions of the day - and hands over an innocent man to his death. We remember also how we often do this, and praise God for his mercy and love.
BEAUTY
“Art is the signature of man.” - G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton writes that art is man’s signature because it is something that only man can do. In a way, we “leave our mark” by taking in the beauty we see around us through our senses and then expressing our reaction through works that evoke that sense of wonder. God created us with an intellect and will to experience his creation and wonder at it. This wonder is often expressed by the artistic endeavors of men and women who are moved to create in imitation of their Creator.
GOODNESS
“People forget how to be grateful unless they learn how to be humble.” - G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton writes of humility often likely because he lived in humility. Our schools seek to follow him in this manner, because doing so is the only way for men and women to recognize their proper place. God has created us good. If we forget this, and think that we created ourselves good, we will do great evil. If we forget this because we think we were not created good, a great evil has been done unto us. If we remember that God created us good and keep Him at the center of what we do, we will find our place by loving others and serving them here on Earth - recognizing their goodness - and remaining with God forever in Heaven. This is our ultimate hope for ourselves, and for those we will teach.
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