Welcome Matthew Crawford to the 2025 Symposium

The Great Hearts Institute is pleased to announce that Matthew Crawford, a New York Times best-selling author, will be the principal keynote speaker at the 2025 National Symposium for Classical Education. Crawford is a Senior Fellow at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

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He is the author of Why We Drive: Toward a Philosophy of the Open Road (HarperCollins, 2020); The World Beyond Your Head: On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2015); and Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work (Penguin, 2009), which has been translated into seven languages.

“We invited Matt Crawford to speak at the National Symposium because his writing addresses the great books and ideas that we explore through classical education about what it means to be human,” explained Carol McNamara, Director of the Great Hearts Institute. “These ideas run through the arguments he makes in his books and essays. As such, he is a critical thinker with whom classical educators should engage as we endeavor to form our students into independent thinkers and self-governing citizens.”

Crawford studied physics at UC Santa Barbara before turning to political philosophy, earning a PhD from the University of Chicago. In addition to his books, he has published many articles on ancient Greek philosophy, neuroscience, and the philosophy of science. His shorter writings have appeared in First Things, The Wall Street Journal, The New Atlantis, The Hedgehog Review, UnHerd, Compact, and on his Substack, Archedelia.

He is often described as a philosopher/mechanic—a PhD who owned his own motorcycle shop. Despite his impressive academic résumé, he has been working on cars since the age of fifteen. In his writings and talks, he offers insightful perspectives on the challenges and pleasures of working with one’s hands.

“His arguments and stories begin from a place of wonder, which is the theme of our 2025 Symposium,” said McNamara. She believes that wonder plays a critical role in classical education and looks forward to the conversations Crawford will bring to the Symposium stage.

Join Matthew Crawford and other speakers at the 2025 National Symposium for Classical Education, February 19-21, 2025, at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. This new venue, known for its elegant Southwestern ambiance, is located in the lively Mill Avenue District, close to attractions such as Arizona State University and the Tempe Lake waterfront, providing an enriching environment for attendees.

The Symposium will be offered at the same rates as previous years, with no price increases for attendees. Registration is now open. Secure your place today and take advantage of special early bird rates and group discounts!

This annual event promises to uphold the tradition of fostering deep discussions and learning about classical, liberal arts education. The program will feature presentations from leading scholars and practitioners in the field. With 800 spots available for education professionals, including administrators, teachers, and parents, the Symposium is set to deliver another exceptional experience and cultivate wonder in all who attend.

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