Category Archives: Classics

Scylla or Charybdis? The Homeric Trolley Problem

The recent publication of two new books on ethics have got me thinking about one of my favorite Homeric stories. David Edmonds’ Would You Kill the Fat Man? (Princeton) and Thomas Cathcart’s The Trolley Problem (Workman) each deal with an … Continue reading

Posted in Classics, Mythology, Nautical, Poetry | 2 Comments

Doug Seiters

The following is a talk I gave at the Sewanee Emeritus Association Annual Banquet in honor of Doug Seiters on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at the old Sewanee Inn. When Laurence Alvarez contacted me a few months ago asking me … Continue reading

Posted in Classics, Education, Poetry, Sewanee | 2 Comments

Protected: Penny with Counterstamp

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The Core, and the Core, and the Core

This is the text of a talk I gave last year at the faculty retreat.  It seems like ancient history now! (The title is a pun on General MacArthur’s final remarks at Westpoint in 1962) “The Core, and The Core, … Continue reading

Posted in Classics, Education, Military, Sewanee | 2 Comments

Remarks for “Foundations of Place” Panel

My colleagues, John Willis and Jerry Smith, have given better talks than I ever could about the historical situation of the University’s founding a century and half or so ago, and of course I always tremble to follow Jim Peterman.  … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Classics, Education, Emblems, Ireland, Language & Etymology, Oxford, Poetry, Sewanee, Tennessee | 5 Comments

A Dozen Days Later

When I first heard about the explosions at the Boston Marathon, I scoured the internet till I found a live feed and called my wife.  “What!? WHAT?!”  We were both horrified.  “This was part of the reason we moved to … Continue reading

Posted in Boston, Classics, England, Family, Language & Etymology, Military, Mythology, Poetry, Sewanee, Sports & Games | 2 Comments

Protected: Game Animals

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Protected: Tiresias, Throbbing Between Two Lives

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Protected: Sea and Stars

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Protected: Considering Caesar

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