Where you begin largely determines where you end. The modern, secular world defines human beings as being basically animals, but often dismisses the conclusions of such an idea. If man is basically an animal, then ideas of human dignity and the value of human life are easily subsumed in the reality of “might makes right.”

Such a starting place and ending point are not in the best interests of students. Instead, classical education asserts the proposition that human beings are image bearers, having been created by God with the capacity for reason and contemplation, the drive for creative self-expression, and the capacity to make free, meaningful, moral choices. The idea of the imago dei is unique to the Judeo-Christian tradition and has influenced the course of Western history so that we hold it as a cherished First Principle.

In this talk from the Conference of Miletus, Winston Brady, Director of Curriculum, Thales Academy and Director, Thales Press, examines the imago dei and the related concept of natural law and how these two ideas are of inestimable importance to the classical educator. Winston Brady has taught at Thales Academy since 2011 and has served Thales Academy in a variety of ways.

Mr. Brady received a B.A. in English from the College of William and Mary, a M.Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr Brady serves as the Director of Curriculum and Thales Press. Winston Brady delivered this conference presentation at the Conference of Miletus on July 8, 2024.

The Conference of Miletus was a series of short lectures from members of the Thales Academy leadership team discussing what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful and the importance of these transcendental ideas to classical education. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.