Classical Heritage Foundation
Al
though the scope of activities, projects and research at
the Classical Heritage Foundation (CHF) is intentionally broad, such work is
done for the purpose of promoting a societal culture that encourages people to
be the best they can be, provides for equality, defends freedom, promotes
individual responsibility, and works to uphold the dignity of the community. A
more poetic formulation of such principles is presented below.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
SEMPER FIDELIS (always faithful)
We are a congress of individuals, tempered by difficulties endured, and humbled by hard-earned success, who will continue to hold fast to our moral convictions while shouldering each other along an unending quest for excellence.
SEMPER VERITATIS (always honest)
We are the members of a society that has embraced an entire world of peoples made common by our devotion to a simple idea that one is measured by honesty and honest work, and that such traits should be promoted and rewarded.
SEMPER LIBERITATIS (always free)
We solemnly devote ourselves to preserving our national heritage of freedom, justice and liberty, to vigilantly guard against their corruption, and to eternally honor those who gave their lives protecting such bold and far reaching concepts.
These underlying principles are proudly displayed in the Classical Heritage Foundation’s symbol - The Dauntless Eagle.
The soaring eagle represents the individual (or community) striving for excellence.
One sword (grasped by the eagle) represents focused discipline, and the other flexible determination - which together represent strength.
The scroll itself represents creative aspiration upon which are embossed the ethical principles of faithfulness, honesty, and freedom.
Holding onto strength (the swords) and ethics (the scroll) brings forth equality.
The five stars that the eagle is soaring towards represent the five pillars of human dignity: personal maturity, personal responsibility, common sense intelligence, humility, and spiritual awareness.
It is this distinctive combination of humanistic attributes that so called “classical art” - so eloquently portrays. Thus, by acting as a curator of said “art”, the Classical Heritage Foundation promotes the human experience that embraces such concepts.
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DISCUSSION OF PURPOSE
To stimulate promotion of classical culture – the Classical Heritage Foundation (CHF) brings to light the underlying philosophy of what is “classical”. Thus, when an artist, scientist, or scholar expresses himself (through his work) while embracing a “humanistic” philosophy, he not only creates or discovers, he also offers up his own humanity to his fellow man. This “divinely enabled” process is the foundation of “classic” art and science, and the source of “traditional” values. Expressing oneself is one thing – expression with a devotion to human dignity and personal responsibility is quite another. This concept may have become lost and/or misrepresented in our times but, the Classical Heritage Foundation believes it is a concept worth reviving and understanding. Moreover, it is a personal concept beyond stereotyping – and it encompasses all cultures the world over.
Therefore, a “classic” citizen is someone living an honorable life guided by traditional ethics, striving to do something well, and in so doing, yearns to do it better.
Furthermore, this applies not only to those of historic notoriety, but to today’s citizen that might be a musician in a local church choir (as was Bach), or a solider studying economics in his tent (as did Hamilton), or a amateur scientist doing research at his kitchen table (as did Einstein). Thus, “classic” is not so much a dusty collection of artifacts in a “Western” museum - as it is a philosophy that defines how one lives one’s life. It is not just a display of artistic talent - it is a statement of artistic attitude as well. It is not the trophies of a pompous scientific institute - but a passion to discover the secrets of nature. Therefore, the Classical Heritage Foundation specializes in working with today’s “citizen scholar” who’s activities define the “classical” idea – providing them with a resource to help promote, energize, and preserve such values.
To stimulate participation in classical culture – the Classical Heritage Foundation realizes that with today’s technology it is possible for individuals to generate work-product that only a few years ago was exclusive to large corporations. Consequently, the Classical Heritage Foundation addresses a need for pooling talent and coordinating resources in various sectors on an international level enabling small groups of people to produce first-rate products. What unifies the participants is the admiration of “classical” culture. Granted, there are numerous (and impressive) institutions that deal with “classical” concerns (symphonies, museums, research centers, etc.) but, such large institutes are often limited in scope and access, and are encumbered by bureaucracy.
As a specialty boutique of broad scope yet streamlined tactics - and geared towards individuals and small organizations - the Classical Heritage Foundation works to complement such institutes (e.g., a bridge between individuals and institutions). Furthermore, as an organization free of political correctness (PC) and media hype, the Classical Heritage Foundation avoids these operational parasites that can cripple a noble institution. This is significant because the oppression of political correctness destroys freedom, its intolerance cripples excellence, and its condemnation extinguishes human dignity. In addition, the factual distortions and avalanche of rubbish that arise from media hype drown-out the artistic and intellectual substance of an author’s work. Consequently, the presence of PC and media hype results in operational and intellectual dysfunction in most any institution or business that they infect. Thus, pursing activities “PC and hype free” revives the cornerstones of classical culture, creativity explodes, and a society blossoms. In other words - utilize technology and the media while avoiding its pitfalls.
Finally, to stimulate preservation of classical culture (especially at the grassroots level), the Classical Heritage Foundation acts as a curator of “classical” culture. Many societies around the world are presently undergoing a dramatic shift in culture that will alter our planet. As this process unfolds, our music and art is often degraded into marketing posters for the media, and our science trivialized into robotics that isolate people from their world. Thus, the Classical Heritage Foundation strives to pause – identify, appreciate, and preserve, the beauty and value of our “classical” heritage.
Moreover, within the forge of the “American Experiment”, a Hellenistic-Western culture was allowed to flourish and expand in a environment rich with traditions from around the globe. This produced a distinctive and remarkable renaissance of art and science that although contemporary, extends back to the Greeks - yet embraces the world. This “Global American Classicism” is an utterly unique, humanistic treasure to be admired and preserved. Thus, as the world’s culture is overcome and altered by the inevitable march of change, like Dances with Wolves, the Classical Heritage Foundation seeks to preserve this unique “Global American Classical Experience” before it vanishes into the dust of history. And the best way to preserve and promote such a heritage – is to recognize it, teach it and above all else – participate in it.
From the works of Sophocles, to Lau Tzu, to Aquinas, to Shakespeare, to Da Vinci, to Newton, to Beethoven, to Franklin, to Hokusai, to Einstein, to Beatles, and countless others – including today’s citizen scientist tinkering in his garage - let us appreciate the beauty and value that such “classic art” and its inherent philosophy – can bring to us all.