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Shawn's avatar

Hamilton's classical education is particularly offensive to David. Perhaps he understands it as elitist. Is it possible, however, that only a classically-educated society can share the conceits of the Federalist Papers and sustain a Constitutional Republic?

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David Dault's avatar

Thanks for your comment. My objections (I think) were more stylistic than substantive. If only a classically-educated populace can vibe with the constitution, though, I think we are well and truly sunk. Then again, we're only on Federalist 6. My mind may be changed yet :)

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Shawn's avatar

Thank you, David, for your reply. In the same episode, you also referred to old ideas as poison, as if anything old has no place in a modern democracy. Were your objections really more stylistic than substantive? I was also struck by Steven questioning the extent to which the classically-educated had a critical handle on the material. Amelia Lanyer (Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum) certainly had; as did John Milton after her. The body of work we attribute to Shakespeare maintains a critical handle on itself. Doesn't the Bible as well?

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