carkclassics

Central Arkansas Classics Society

Home

General Rules of Conduct

  1. The only requirements to membership are:
    • Be interested in reading classics and discussing them (or a general desire to learn!)
    • Be respectful of others
    • Acknowledge that we are here to learn from each other
  2. Discussion groups shall be small and informal
    • The maximum suggested size for a given discussion group is twelve (12) members
    • If a text garners heavy interest for many individuals, multiple groups should be formed rather than overloading a single group
  3. Refer to others via their requested honorific and last name (e.g. Ms/Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. Grasby, etc.)
    • This is in support of showing respect for each other and treating each other as equals
  4. Try to come to a discussion with a few questions about the text written down, and feel free to take notes
  5. If you were not able to read the text planned for a session, feel free to come and participate. However, please give speaking priority to those that did prepare.
  6. Recording (audio or video) sessions is prohibited, as we wish to avoid “stifling” the discussion. An exception to this rule is if all present members, unanimously, vote to record prior to a conversation (and the vote is valid only for that conversation).
  7. Avoid sidebar conversations within the main group during a session
    • If you must have a private conversation or take a phone call, feel free to excuse yourself, at any time, and return when you are able.
  8. Avoid “lecturing” each other. We should share our thoughts, but we should also remember that we are in a session to learn and ponder the texts. A way to avoid this is to ask questions that we genuinely do not already know the answer(s) to.
  9. Accept that there are questions for which we may not arrive at a definite answer (and let’s embrace that!)
  10. Remember that classics are meant to be savored!

Suggested Reading Items

These are listed in no particular order or requirement, just some suggestions to include:

  1. The Analects, Confucius. Chinese classic.
  2. Book One of the Iliad, Homer. Philosophy/Theology (good foundational text).
  3. The Republic, Plato. Politics and Society.
  4. History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides. History.
  5. Histories, Herodotus. History.
  6. Any of the principal Upaniṣads (e.g. The Katha Upaniṣad). Indian classic.
  7. The Heart of Dōgen’s Shōbōgenzō, Dōgen. Japanese Zen classic.
  8. The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Oku no Hosomichi), Matsuo Bashō. Japanese classic.

[!NOTE] This discussion framework is heavily inspired and influenced by the wonderful programs at both St. John’s College and the Great Books Foundation. The Central Arkansas Classics Society, however, is an informal discussion group and is not affiliated with any of these organizations.

Founding Members: Eric C. Grasby