Classics and the Western Canon discussion

Sorry for the truncated folder title, but Goodreads only allows 32 characters.

The reading schedule for Varieties of Religious Experience is:

Revised Schedule For reasons discussed below, the schedule is changed to the following.

May 25 - 31 -- Lectures 1 & 2
June 1-7 -- Lectures 3, 4, 5
June 8-14 -- Lectures 6, 7, 8
June 15-21 -- Lectures 9, 10
June 22-28 -- Lectures 11, 12, 13
June 29-July 5 -- Lectures 14, 15
July 6-12 -- Lectures 16, 17
July 13-19 -- Lectures 18, 19, 20 and the work as a whole


The original, and now superseded, schedule was

May 25 - 31 -- Lectures 1 & 2
June 1-7 -- Lectures 3, 4, & 5
June 8-14 -- Lectures 6, 7, & 8
June 15-21 -- Lectures 9, 10, & 11
June 22-28 -- Lectures 12, 13, & 14
June 29-July 5 -- Lectures 15, 16, & 17
July 6-12 -- Lectures 18, 19, & 20, and the work as a whole

I have realized that not only the book I'm reading in (the Modern Library edition) but the on-line resource I have referred to before and several other editions whose tables of contents I reviewed don't have the lectures all separated, but combine some of them in groups: 4&5, 6&7, 11,12,& 13, 14 & 15, 16& 17.

If this is the way that he generally prepared the lectures for print, perhaps we should modify the reading schedule to match the way he has presented the lectures.

this might look like:
1&2 (last week)
3, 4, 5 (this week)
6&7
8, 9, 10
11, 12, 13
14, 15
16, 17,
18, 19, 20

This would extend our reading period one week to eight weeks. This seems to be a minor extension and would structure our reading closer to the way in which James (or his editor? Not clear who prepared the work for publication as a single volume) intended.

Unless there is objection, I'll go ahead and make this change. Any good reason not to?

This is a sensible change. The only suggestion I would make would be to read 6,7, and 8 next week and 9 and 10 the week after. This evens out the amount of reading each week. (46 and 52 pages in the Oxford World's Classics edition as opposed to 28 and 70 if you combine 8 with 9 and 10)

I'll be on vacation for a major part of June, and won't be able to participate in the discussions during that time. If you don't see any posts or replies from me, it is not because I have abandoned the group. I just wanted to make it clear. :)

Nemo wrote: "I'll be on vacation for a major part of June, and won't be able to participate in the discussions during that time. If you don't see any posts or replies from me, it is not because I have abandoned..."

We'll miss you, but hope you have a great vacation. Going anywhere interesting?

If you're flying, have fun getting through TSA!

I always find it a tad amusing when someone says they are going to take a vacation from the internet - the internet being everywhere, especially in airports :)

I think Nemo just means his posts will be more sporadic, depending on available access. No worries, we'll wait until you can get back on.

Frankly, I think internet access in airports is one of the saving graces of western civilization. How did we ever survive travel without it?

I've been largely AWOL the last week or two. I apologize for that, but things in our family have been happening fast. Among them, but by no means the only thing, is that our co-grandmother (the paternal grandmother of our grandchildren) has been seriously ill and just died today. So we've been doing a bit of extra grandparenting along with everything else.

I'll keep checking in here to make sure that the stalwarts are still stalwarting, for which I give them my great thanks. And I'll keep at least trying to keep up with the discussion posts, and will definitely keep the nuts and bolts of the group under control(posting weekly discussion topics, handling book selections, etc.). But my active participation in the actual discussion will be a bit hit and miss for some time.

For which I apologize, but life is what life is. I'm sure folks will understand that my kids, and especially the grandkids, come first (and second and third) at a time like this.

And thanks again to all who are keeping a fascinating discussion progressing so richly.

Theresa wrote: "I always find it a tad amusing when someone says they are going to take a vacation from the internet - the internet being everywhere, especially in airports :)

I think Nemo just means his posts wi..."

I was in my vacation condo last week, which does not provide Internet access. So to use the Internet, I had to go to the common building, the local library, or some other spot in the area that provided wifi or similar access. Actually, this trip I did use my I-phone as a personal hot-spot, since we had some extra data usage on our family plan. But, I needed to share that with others, so wasn't able to be online as much as I am at home.

In some ways, I like the "getting away." In others, it is a real pain.

Everyman wrote: "I've been largely AWOL the last week or two. I apologize for that, but things in our family have been happening fast. Among them, but by no means the only thing, is that our co-grandmother (the pat..."

Deepest sympathies to you and your families.

Everyman my condolences to you & family. Will keep all in my thoughts & prayers. Certainly will miss your insightful comments & challenging questions.

Echo the thoughts and prayers and am glad your lucky grandkids have you.

It's nice to know that your grandkids have been able to have so many grandparents to care about them, and that they have that loving resource to give them a connected center and community to turn to. Blessings to you and your family during this time.

Thanks to all for your kind thoughts and prayers.

Theresa wrote: "Frankly, I think internet access in airports is one of the saving graces of western civilization."

I'm not sure about that. :)

When I see couples everywhere, instead of conversing with one another, each seeking union with the Internet via their smart phones, I cannot help but wonder whether the Internet has replaced the divine as the object of "mystical experience".