Five Important Differences Between Charlotte Mason and Classical Christian Education

Five Important Differences Between Charlotte Mason and Classical Christian Education

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Editor’s Note, February 25, 2021: Slide 26 of the deck linked below has been amended with a clarifying note to incorporate insights gained from my latest research. —Art

At the Charlotte Mason Institute 2016 Eastern Conference in Wilmore, Kentucky, I co-led a chat on the topic of  “Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition.” At this chat, I presented these slides.

I enjoyed having the opportunity to speak about this topic with such an interested audience. The slides are not exhaustive in any way, and it is only a high-level summary. If you would like to go deeper on any of the points, feel free to drop me a line.

5 Replies to “Five Important Differences Between Charlotte Mason and Classical Christian Education”

  1. I find it interesting that Christian classical educators ignore Aquinas’ high and distorted view of reason – ignoring the very real noetic effects of sin. His adherence to Aristotle in this instance is another example of their commitment to a Hellenistic model of life and learning. Mason focused her energies on a clear Biblical-theological approach that was integral to understanding the nature of the learner and learning.

    1. Thank you for bringing out this interesting angle. Mason felt that it was important to emphasize the fallibility of human reason, so she devoted one of her twenty principles to the concept (principle 18). Interestingly, she identified knowledge as a key safeguard to counterbalance the limitations of reason. So we find again the interlocking nature of Mason’s principles of education: a wide curriculum is important because reason “is not always a safe” guide.

  3. I realize I am a little late to the game but have been slowly working through the CM/Classical controversy in the blogosphere. I would love it if you could unpack a little bit the difference between the goal of “virtue” vs. the goal of a “relationship with God”? I know the Bible talks about training for godliness… is this not what the virtue in the Christian classical tradition is about?