‘Hillsdale’s FREE philosophy course’

    

Hillsdale College offers a 14-part Introduction to Western Philosophy free of charge. This isn’t anything new, but click here if you’re interested. From the publicity:

Explore the great ideas and philosophers of the West.  

Philosophy—a word that means “love of wisdom”—teaches us to move beyond the prevailing opinions of our age and gain a deeper understanding of reality.

A good education in philosophy provides the joy of answering fundamental questions that give meaning and direction to our lives. It also serves as a bulwark against ideas that are destructive to human life and freedom.

“Introduction to Western Philosophy” is a 14-lecture online course that invites you to explore the works of the most important philosophers of the West, including Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, and Nietzsche, as they wrestle with the fundamental questions that all human beings are called to answer. 

Enrollment in this course gives you free access to lectures by Professor of Philosophy Nathan Schlueter, lecture study guides, readings, and quizzes to aid you in the examination of Western philosophy from its birth in ancient Greece through C.S. Lewis’s efforts to combat the postmodern rejection of reason and truth.

Enroll in this free online course from Hillsdale College and begin the pursuit of knowledge about human nature and the best way of life today!

Taught by: Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, Professor of History and Politics

Nathan W. Schlueter, Professor of Philosophy and Religion

Click here to get started.

If you are unfamiliar with Hillsdale, it is one of the very few independent liberal arts colleges in America—independent as in not accepting any money from any layer of government. In its own words:

Hillsdale College was founded in 1844 with a mission to provide “all who wish to learn” the education necessary to preserve the civil and religious liberties of America. The founders of Hillsdale College understood, like the founders of our great nation, that free government requires independent, virtuous, and knowledgeable citizens.

In 2011 Hillsdale launched its online courses program to extend this mission and to teach the core subjects of a Hillsdale education free of charge. Since that time, more than 4.2 million Americans have partnered with us in this effort. 

     

‘Film project: Spearshaker: Knowledge is Power’

    

You likely have at least heard about the “Francis Bacon was the real William Shakespeare” theory that has been around more than a century; built into that is the notion that Bacon was a Rosicrucian and Freemason. Feel free to pull out your copy of Hall’s Secret Teachings of All Ages and refer to the chapter “Bacon, Shakespeare, and the Rosicrucians.” In short, there is doubt that uneducated, regular guy William Shakespeare could have authored the Folio and the poetry. Some of those plays include sly references to things currently happening at court, and it is contended that Shakespeare could not have known of such things, whereas Bacon had been immersed in it all.

Anyway, a teaser of a film project was unveiled this month, and I hope a full production isn’t far behind. From the publicity:

Spearshaker is an epic historical script for a new film project in development about the Secret Life and Times of Sir Francis Bacon.

The script is the culmination of more than thirty years of historical research into this extraordinary and elusive man. It covers his enigmatic life and the secret aspects of his legacy.

• The lost, last Tudor, son of Elizabeth the ‘Virgin’ Queen
• The true author behind the immortal name Shakespeare
• The leading light and inspiration behind the Rosicrucians, a secret fellowship devoted to a Universal Reformation of the Whole World.

Spearshaker website. All enquiries here.

Watch the concept trailer and subscribe to the YouTube channel to get more updates on film developments.

That’s Jonathon Lawrence Freeman in the title role. Also, if you are on X (once Twitter), seek out @BaconSpeare for frequent news about this fledgling film and all things Bacon-Shakespeare, to wit:

Click here for @BaconSpeare.

And, yes, there is Shakespeare Lodge 750 (constituted 1874) in Manhattan; and, in England, Shakespeare 284 (est. 1792) in Warwick; and Shakspere 1009 (est. 1864) in Manchester.

     

Alpha Lodge on parade

Montclair, New Jersey’s annual African-American Heritage Parade and Festival took place yesterday. Hundreds of marchers representing a variety of groups, from Masonic lodges to the Stiletto Rydaz Motorcycle Club, marched through the heart of this historic township.

Part of the Alpha Lodge contingent gathers at the starting point waiting for the parade to begin.

Alpha Masons and Prince Hall Masons mingle before the start of the parade. In addition to the Alpha brethren and those from other area lodges, the parade included Prince Hall Masons from Eureka Lodge No. 52, and Shriners from Golconda Temple No. 24.

The Orange High School Marching Tornadoes line up and get ready to hit the road.

Many classic cars were in the parade. Shown here: a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air; a hot rod Cadillac; and a really souped up Chevy Nova.

Whether lining the streets or observing from their stoops, Montclair residents turned out in great numbers to watch this colorful and loud procession.

The downside about marching in a parade of course is you actually miss the parade. Alpha Lodge was near the front of the procession, nearly at its head, so it was tough to photograph most of the sights.

Above: This happy fellow is available from a local antiques dealer we marched past. Naturally it reminds one of Sir Francis Bacon’s coat of arms, so I took it as fortuitous that it decorated our parade route. Price: $180, but the Magpie Mason was assured it can be had for $120.

Below: One of the homes we passed in a residential area dominated by 100-year-old Victorians is guarded by knights in... well, evidently not shining armor, but armor nevertheless.