Euclid & Boethius, Art & Beauty

On Monday morning the Summer Program students were back in the classroom, working out Euclid’s definitions, common notions, and postulates in lively discussions. Having come to an understanding of the meaning of such terms as “line” and “point,” they are now ready to take on Euclidean propositions throughout the rest of the week’s morning sessions. Indeed, after class today, several women were spotted going back to their residence hall to practice their props!

At the afternoon class, after Mass and lunch, students discussed the first two books of Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy. Written in 524 A.D., while Boethius awaited his martyrdom in prison, this work is presented in the form of a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy, in which they discuss evil, happiness, suffering, fate, God, and free will. In short, it’s the perfect work to tie up the big questions that the students have been pondering for the last week.

Prefects report a rather sedate recreation period this afternoon, probably owing to all of Saturday and Sunday’s activities! Nonetheless the coffee shop was packed for a lecture by College tutor Dr. John Nieto, “On Art and Beauty” (see photo, below). Dr. Nieto supplemented his remarks with a PowerPoint slideshow depicting many famous sculptures and paintings, several of which are at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, which the group will visit on Tuesday.

At tonight’s study hall, students will get their first chance to try out their new knowledge of geometry when they practice demonstrating Euclidean propositions on classroom chalkboards …