Teaching the Constitution

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787.

"Engaging in a Socratic dialogue with students at St. John’s College in Annapolis, philosopher and educator Mortimer Adler offers insights in 'America’s testament'."

Transcript at Moyers & Company.

A constitution for the European Union

From the October 28th 2000 issue of The Economist.

From the Center: Adler on Progress; failure and character; Thucydides; "safe spaces"; the presidency;

Recent communications with members of the Center for the Study of The Great Ideas included:

• On Costica Bradatan's views on failure and humility
• "The Priorities of Getting it Right and Getting Along", a Special Edition, by Center Member Peter DeMarco
• Mortimer Adler on progress as one of The Great Ideas
• Biographical note on Thucydides
• Noting a letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal from Paige Rodriguez of Louisville, Colorado, on the purpose of education and University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer's statement on "safe spaces"
• On Brion McClanahan's account of the office of the President
• On Mortimer Adler and Robert Hutchins in Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values, by Robert M. PirsigRobert M. Pirsig, see pp. 341-43
• 3 for 2 Video Sale

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Constitutional Officers: A Very Close Reading

William Baude reviews Seth Barrett Tillman's scholarship analysing the structure of the United States Constitution, at Jotwell

The state of politics

Mortimer Adler's We Hold These Truths: Understanding the Ideas and Ideals of the Constitution is cited in this commentary at The Catholic Transcript.

From the Center: Adler on multiculturalism; Anastaplo on Scalia;

Recent communications with members of the Center for the Study of The Great Ideas included:

• Mortimer Adler on multiculturalism, continued
• George Anastaplo on Antonin Scalia

The Talking Cure: How Constitutional Argument Drives Constitutional Development

Ken I. Kersch at Boston University Law Review 94 (May 2014): 1083-1108

Was Kant a major political philosopher?

Matt Qvortrup reviews Kant’s Politics in Context by Reidar Maliks at Philosophy Now.

From the Center: Adler on sovereignty cont.;

Recent communications with members of the Center for the Study of The Great Ideas included:

• Mortimer Adler on internal and external sovereignty
• Adler's syndicated newspaper column
• Diane Ravitch's view of Arne Duncan's legacy
• Sabba da Castiglione on Leonardo da Vinci’s kitchen

'The Constitution: An Introduction', by Michael Stokes Paulsen and Luke Paulsen

Reviewed by Samuel A. Alito, Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court, in the latest issue of Engage: The Journal of the Federalist Society Practice Groups

Seeds of Monarchy?

John Yoo reviews The Once and Future King: The Rise of Crown Government in America, by F.H. Buckley, at the Claremont Review of Books.

"Although provocative and entertaining, The Once and Future King misunderstands the founding, the presidency, and the requirements of freedom."

Social Contract Theory of John Locke (1632-1704) in the Contemporary World

Among currently popular downloads at Law Commons is this article by Daudi Mwita Nyamaka in the St. Augustine University Law Journal.

"Abstract

"The 17th century period was marked by an attempt to erect effective safeguard against violations of natural law by governments. Law in this period was conceptualized as an instrument for the prevention of autocracy and despotism. Absolutism in Europe that was associated with governmental encroachments necessitated a strong shield of individual liberty. In this period legal theory placed the main emphasis on liberty, thus the law was to render governments capable of functioning as a guarantor of individual rights. This paper aims at examining the social contract theory of the 17th-century English philosopher, John Locke, its parameters, limitations and its essence in the contemporary world with a view as to why should we obey the law, the origin, essence and legitimacy of the government, the origin of the state and the law and more importantly how can we punish the government in case they fail to fulfill their functions."

Right-side Up

Michael M. Uhlmann reviews The Upside-Down Constitution, by Michael S. Greve, Claremont Review of Books, Summer 2012

What Is a Constitution?

A recent United States Supreme Court decision was the occasion for an essay by James V. Schall, S.J., on What Is a Constitution?.

Libertarian primer on the Constitution

Today's Wisconsin State Journal includes some items unrelated to the retirement of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, including this column by Louise Dotter of Spring Green in which she quotes Mortimer Adler.

(via WisOpinion)

--Terrence Berres

In Search of the Constitution

IN SEARCH OF THE CONSTITUTION has found its way online, which, as far as I can tell, is the first Adler video to do so. You'll remember from Center materials that this is the one in which We Hold These Truths: Understanding the Ideas and Ideals of the Constitution is discussed thusly:

Bill Moyers and Mortimer Adler with students of St. John's College, Annapolis, MD

Students at St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, challenge Adler, the noted philosopher, author, and educator, on his views about fundamental ideas in the Constitution and their relevance today. Adler discusses Americans' lack of familiarity with the Constitution, the checks and balances provided by the Supreme Court, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and the welfare state, foreign policy, and legislating morality.
(60 minutes)

-Mark Brawner