Euclid, Euthyphro, & Section Photos

With one full day of the High School Summer Program complete, the dining hall was alive at breakfast this morning as the programmers geared up for their first Euclidean demonstrations. Volumes of Euclid’s Elements were open at almost every table as students ran through the props with their peers and prefects over coffee.

Programmers took up various methods of studying; some chose the early-morning refresh, while others were satisfied with the preparation done in study hall the night before. Student Jude O. introduced his table to his method of “Euclid Roulette,” where one familiarizes himself with every prop and then hopes for the best. “As for Euclid this morning,” he mused, “it’s been a couple years since I tried this method, but I’m definitely looking forward to the class and the experience.”

After breakfast, students headed to the classrooms a little early to get in some extra practice before class, then settled in for their first demonstrations. Tutors called students at random from each section to present props to the class, followed by discussion and exploration of different methods of proof. “It was super fun doing today’s props,” said Pita O. “They’re like solving a puzzle; I’m already excited to learn the props for tomorrow!”

As soon as class ended, all gathered outside Stone Hall to take section photos before students headed to Mass and lunch. Spirits were high after the exhilaration of the first demonstration day, and programmers and prefects shared stories about their classes and engaged in fresh discussions of the Platonic dialogue for the afternoon class.

Soon, the students were off to their next class, on Plato’s Euthyphro. Students talked over the dialogue, which ultimately questions what piety is in relation to wrongdoers and what is pleasing to the gods. The discussion followed naturally from the students’ previous class on Antigone, in which many of the concepts laid out in the Euthyphro played out dramatically.

Visit the Summer Blog again tomorrow morning for the programmers’ afternoon agenda — many exciting activities are again in store!

More photos from the High School Summer Program ...

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