Dr. Jonathan Buttaci on the Art and Act of Knowing—and What That Means for Teaching

How do we know whether we know something? How do we know whether our son or student has apprehended a lesson? Sometimes we hear the liberal arts discussed as a "beholding of great things." But Catholic University professor Dr. Jonathan Buttaci reminds us they are liberal arts—implying a craft or adept handling of knowledge. In other words, coming to know something is not passive at all. It's an act. And that act does not primarily belong to the teacher. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Buttaci talks epistemology and what the role of the teacher really is in bringing young people to knowledge. Chapters: 3:59 Knowledge: active, not passive 12:56 Practical ends of knowledge 18:02 Contemplation: Buttaci v. Pieper 24:04 Liberal arts 30:16 Knowing bestows freedom 35:29 Where truth and creativity meet 42:27 The power of the teacher 43:52 How teachers can preserve the joy of discovery 57:59 Teaching rote, grindstone skills 01:05:08 A teacher's job is joyful Links: Education Is Not about Content Transmission by Dr. Andrew Abela, notes on a presentation by Dr. Jonathan Buttaci Magnifica Humanitas, papal encyclical by Pope Leo XIV Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper The Idea of a University by John Henry Newman Also on the Forum: Automaticity and Creativity by David Maxham Automaticity: Where 'Rote' Fits into the Liberal Arts featuring David Maxham The Teacher's Voice featuring Tom Steenson Teaching Sovereign Knowers Series by Michael Moynihan Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 3, 2026) – link coming soon Fall Open House at The Heights School (October 24, 2026) Fatherhood Conference at The Heights School (early November 2026) – link coming soon Convivium Conference for Teaching Men at The Heights School (November 11-13, 2026)