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What's in a Word?

What does it mean to be human? The history of two ancient words points us both upward toward wonder and transcendence and downward toward the earth beneath our feet—a vision of human nature that can help education form children who are fully alive to both.

Dr. Christopher Perrin photo By Dr. Christopher Perrin

July 14, 2026

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What's in a Word?

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This article was originally published on Substack

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What does it mean to be human? The history of two ancient words points us both upward toward wonder and transcendence and downward toward the earth beneath our feet—a vision of human nature that can help education form children who are fully alive to both.

Dr. Christopher Perrin photo

Dr. Christopher Perrin

Editor

Christopher Perrin is the CEO at Classical Academic Press and the Director of Strategic Content for the Humanitas Institute.