On February 3rd fathers joined Dr. Gerard Wegemer at Westcott Study Center to listen to the upbringing philosophy of St. Thomas More. Wegemer’s scholarly approach to conveying More’s method of educating his children was appreciated by all. According to Dr. Wegemer, More was indeed a ‘father in the full’ since his span of education took into account the ‘full scope of life.’
Dr. Wegemer’s talk was all-encompassing and even included a detailed handout on More’s quotations and books, and a commentary on Hans Holbein’s famous painting of More’s family.
It is noteworthy to point out that Wegemer felt that the whole of More’s approach could be aptly described in (More’s) book A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation. Wegemer addresses in remarkable detail More’s take on anxiety, bravery, peace, and freedom.
In short, Thomas More’s educational philosophy called for ‘Virtue in the first place, learning in the second.’ More’s approach is in stark contrast to today’s public education system which doesn’t seem to treat the virtues at all, a fact discussed by many fathers after the talk.