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Hello
John,
Russell Kirk once asked, “Can virtue be taught?”

Dr. David Hein’s new book, Teaching the Virtues ([link removed]) , is an unsurpassed reflection on that ancient question, one capable of renewing education in our time.

Educational renewal requires both tradition and innovation. Teaching the Virtues is uniquely valuable because it presents practical approaches that are both ancient and contemporary. Even very good schools, religious and secular, can do better at teaching students virtues such as faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, courage, temperance, gratitude, patience, and piety.

Education in the virtues must move students from what John Henry Newman called notional assent to real assent, as virtues become rooted in heart, mind, and will for life.

Join University Bookman editor Luke Sheahan on Wednesday, July 23, at 7 PM Eastern Time as he discusses with David Hein how we might better teach the virtues to the next generation.
Register for "Can Virtue be Taught?" ([link removed])

An Evening with Christopher Dawson: Introducing a Historian of Culture

The School of Conservative Studies is pleased to invite you to a live virtual lecture, “An Evening with Christopher Dawson: Introducing a Historian of Culture,” on September 2 at 7 pm ET. Dr. Joseph T. Stuart will introduce us to the great British historian of ideas, Christopher Dawson, in an engaging presentation, followed by a Q&A discussion moderated by Darrell Falconburg. This event is free and open to the public upon registration.

Register for this free lecture here ([link removed]*lz5o43*_gcl_au*OTA0NjY4NjM2LjE3NDk2NzQ0MDM.*_ga*MTY4ODcxNjk2MS4xNzQ5NzM3MDk4*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3NTA4MDU0NzgkbzckZzEkdDE3NTA4MDY5NDYkajU5JGwwJGgw&mc_cid=06e63e1d3f&mc_eid=UNIQID#/registration) .

Christopher Dawson (1889–1970) was a British historian whose work profoundly shaped our understanding of the role of religion in the development of culture. In books such as The Crisis of Western Education, The Making of Europe, and Religion and the Rise of Western Culture, Dawson argued that religion has been the animating force behind human civilization. In 1958, Dawson became the first professor to hold the Chair of Roman Catholic Studies at Harvard University, extending his influence in both academic and public life.

Dawson maintained that religion has always shaped human culture—including politics—throughout world history. He emphasized that when moderns ignore or deny this reality, they end up turning politics itself into a kind of religion. In response, Dawson proposed a Christian political vision grounded in human freedom, national unity, and international solidarity as corrective measures to the ideological distortions of his day, which were contributing to totalitarianism, violence, and social conformity. Although decades have passed since his death, Dawson’s conservative thought remains a steady guide in our own time.
Acton Interns Explore the Conservative Disposition at 2025 Kirk Center Retreat
The Russell Kirk Center welcomed Acton Institute interns for their annual intellectual retreat, focusing on the topic of “Russell Kirk and the Conservative Disposition.” To help the student participants deepen their understanding of the meaning of conservatism, they were joined by Jeff Polet, Michael Lucchese, and Michael Maibach.

During his talk “Conserving in a Disposable World: What Shall We Save?," Dr. Polet pointed out that conservatism for Russell Kirk was not an ideology, but rather the disposition to conserve the “permanent things” of human life. Michael Lucchese then discussed “Conservatism as a Literary Tradition,” drawing upon the humane literature Kirk examined in The Conservative Mind. Taken together, these talks illuminated important aspects of intellectual conservatism.

After lunch, Kirk Center trustee and director of Save Our States, Michael Maibach, gave a broad historical, political, and practical defense of the Electoral College. His energetic presentation garnered a great deal of interest and discussion, as students noted that the debate over the ongoing viability of the Electoral College is often poorly informed. Maibach’s talk reflected the conservative disposition and emphasized the importance of constitutional government in preserving ordered liberty.

The interns responded enthusiastically to their seminar experience ([link removed]) , describing it as intellectually enriching and deeply formative.

Thank you for supporting our work with your goodwill, attention to our articles and events, and through your financial giving. Hope you can join us for the Book Gallery with David Hein on Wednesday.

Yours in the permanent things,

Jeffrey O. Nelson, Ph.D.
Executive Director & CEO
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