We will read as Chesterton defends the primacy of private life and the domestic sphere. In “Turning Inside Out," Chesterton argues that public education programs treat home life simultaneously as an object not worthy of serious pursuit and as the single most important aspect of forming citizens. By bringing this contradiction to the forefront, Chesterton makes the case for the primacy of domestic education. In “The Drift from Domesticity," Chesterton addresses the unique positive goods of home life, arguing that despite the claims about the "slavery" of domestic life, it is the only sphere in modern society where a person can be truly free, and efforts to change this in the name of freedom will only lead to greater restriction. 

This seminar is the second meeting of our Fall 2024 series, on G.K. Chesterton. This session will be led by Anthony Hejduk (Columbia). Please RSVP as lunch will be served.