Dr. Stephen Smith on Educating Leaders with Thomas More

About this episode

Dr. Stephen Smith discusses the educational philosophy and legacy of St. Thomas More and its relevance for modern leadership.

Does a talented person have a duty to serve others? What do leading citizens really need to live well, freely, impactfully—even greatly? How do we, parents and educators, order the educational goods? "When I think of Thomas More's life, writings, and example, I think: here are the materials we need to answer those questions." So says Dr. Stephen Smith, professor at Hillsdale College and co-director for the Center for Thomas More Studies. St. Thomas More not only provided a robust theory of education and duty in his writings, but also a praxis of that education by his heroic actions at the Tower of London in 1535. Dr. Smith joins us this week to discuss how More's life and education can be a pattern for our one-day leading citizens. Chapters: 2:32 The living image of a great man 8:49 More's philosophy of learning 12:50 Virtue in the first place 16:25 Love of good advice 18:48 Leading citizenship: skill and integrity 24:51 Pride as the enemy 29:32 On modern times: "Do not abandon the ship" 35:14 Mentorship: time and attention 46:39 Hope and humor 54:21 Thomas More as a father Links: The Center for Thomas More Studies , featuring video courses, teaching resources, and the written…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Stephen Smith

Topics covered

• education
• leadership
• Thomas More
• virtue
• mentorship
• citizenship

Keywords

• Thomas More
• education
• leadership
• virtue
• mentorship
• citizenship
• Hillsdale College

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hillsdale College, Center for Thomas More Studies

Books & works: The Last Riddle: Advice on Living and Dying Well, The Essential Works of Thomas More, A Thomas More Sourcebook, On Duties

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