Replay: Roosevelt Montás shares Five Things He's Learned about Self-Transformation, by Reading Ancient Books
Check out the first five minutes of his recent class.
“Even when you study the laws of nature, the things that seem to us most objective – objective meaning it’s outside of us, it’s out there as an object of reflection – when we think about principles of mathematics, and when you look at that closely, you realize that even when you learn a mathematical truth you are gaining some insight into the way that your mind works. If you pause, you realize that even this thing that seems the paradigm of objective knowledge, of seeing something ‘out there’, actually reflects the constitution of your own mind.”
– Roosevelt Montás, Five Things I've Learned about Self-Transformation, by Reading Ancient Books
Roosevelt Montás is a Senior Lecturer in English and American Studies at Columbia University. He has been teaching the “Great Books” to Columbia students for over 20 years, ten of them as Director of Columbia’s Center for the Core Curriculum. Here’s the first five minutes of Roosevelt’s recent 90-minute class in which he shares the Five Things He’s Learned about the transforming power of the Great Books—and why the ideas and passions within these ancient sources still possess the power to make and remake our lives today.
Five Things I’ve Learned about Self-Transformation, by Reading Ancient Books is hosted by Nicholas Buccola, and is part of Nick’s four-part series, Five Things I’ve Learned about the Power of the Word, which in addition to this session features conversations with David Blight, Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr, and Myisha Cherry In this session, Roosevelt shares insights and experiences gained from reading, teaching, and living with the classics. By discussing topics such as self-knowledge, the connection between the past and the present, the liberating power of education, and gaining clarity by removing biases, his class provides intellectual experiences that deepen one's sense of humanity and offer valuable insights for life.
Eager to learn more about the Great Books’ power to transform one’s life? This class is for you.
Roosevelt holds an A.B. (1995), an M.A. (1996), and a Ph.D. (2004) in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Roosevelt specializes in Antebellum American literature and culture, with a particular interest in American citizenship. His dissertation, Rethinking America: Abolitionism and the Antebellum Transformation of the Discourse of National Identity, won Columbia University’s 2004 Bancroft Award. He is Director of the Center for American Studies’ Freedom and Citizenship Program in collaboration with the Double Discovery Center. He speaks and writes on the history, meaning, and future of liberal education and is author of Rescuing Socrates: How the Great Books Changed My Life and Why They Matter for a New Generation.
Thanks for being part of Five Things I’ve Learned on Substack. Visit myfivethings.com to view personal video invitations from more than 100 more writers, thinkers, and artists we admire – and to get special discounted pricing with our Five Things I’ve Learned Multi Pass.