Which texts and ideas are commonly used in Perennialist curricula to develop moral and intellectual virtue?

• A. Classical works such as philosophy, literature, and great books; emphasis on enduring questions about virtue and meaning
• B. Contemporary social media and pop culture texts
• C. Technical manuals and hands-on trade guides
• D. Self-help and motivational pamphlets

Answer: (A)

Perennialist curricula focus on cultivating character and timeless understanding by engaging with the classics. The idea is to expose students to enduring works—philosophy, literature, and other great books—that tackle universal questions about virtue, meaning, and how to live well. By repeatedly confronting these perennial themes, learners practice disciplined thinking, moral reflection, and the ability to articulate and defend enduring values, which together develop both moral and intellectual virtue.

This approach fits best because it centers on canonical texts and enduring inquiries rather than current trends or ultra-practical materials. Contemporary media, while influential, tends to be fleeting and context-specific, not aimed at forming character through timeless questions. Technical manuals build specific skills but don’t typically cultivate broad moral imagination and philosophical reasoning. Self-help pamphlets may motivate briefly but usually lack the sustained, cross-generational engagement with universal truths that perennialism emphasizes.