“How one should order one’s own affairs is not clear and needs inquiry.”
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
I am happy to announce today significant new offerings at this website. Bacon from Acorns has been my effort to share what I am blessed to call my ‘profession’—philosophy, or the love of wisdom—with a broader audience. I strive to learn from my teachers, both living and deceased, modern and ancient, and I strive to pass on what they help me to see. In striving to live the good life, we are all in this together.
Through Bacon I have encountered many people who have challenged me, pushed me, and inspired me. Most of all they have joined me. And my gratitude knows no bounds.
Today I have expanded Bacon from Acorns into LifeCraft. It’s a natural development. Bacon got its name from a great truth illustrated in raising pigs. There is a wisdom and generosity in the natural order of things: an order that we can discover and follow, to the benefit of all.
LifeCraft is about discovering and applying this wisdom in today’s challenging context. I have changed the name both to signal a growth, and to indicate better what this work is about. A craft is a know-how that we study and that can become part of our very selves. The know-how we seek here is wisdom about human life itself. It is a know-how of the most important kind, as it empowers us to craft a good human life, in ourselves and others.
LifeCraft has four areas of focus, to which I intend to devote special attention for years to come. I hope you find that they speak to central aspects of your own life. Human life always begins in the home. So the first area is Man of the Household. I focus on man not to the exclusion of woman, but because I have something specific to share with other men—for the good of the whole household. True Friendship is the second area because life is about relationship. To improve our friendships is to strengthen the very foundation of life. Good Work is the third area. Karl Marx was wrong about many things. But he saw something we all need to see: that in our work we express and in some sense forge our very humanity. And this is true for all of us. Finally, there is Natural Steward. It is especially challenging today to fulfill our role as stewards of the natural world. Here we can discover the surprising power, beauty and joy of taking our proper place in the natural order.
Please do this: Start with my brief overall LifeCraft video on the homepage; then peruse the four areas using the Get Started tab at the top of the page, checking out the intro videos for each area. I especially draw your attention to the Man of the Household course—an online webinar—open to men for registration today. Check out the Man of the Household Plan—a detailed plan–simply by signing up for the Man of the Household mailing list, which is open to all, men and women. Finally, watch in the next few weeks for Wednesday posts presenting a plan for stewardship in the home.
Thank you again for joining me in this journey, and I look forward to many more miles together.
Note on Mailing List: If you are already signed up for the Bacon from Acorns Wednesday Quote mailing list, you should be automatically switched over to LifeCraft. If you are not signed up, please consider doing so.
Husband, father, and professor of Philosophy. LifeCraft springs from one conviction: there is an ancient wisdom about how to live the good life in our homes, with our families; and it is worth our time to hearken to it. Let’s rediscover it together. Learn more.
Wonderful news! I’m a longtime reader, but rarely leave a comment. I think this new name and focus for your work will be very fruitful. I’m not a philosopher but have been following your blog for the life-wisdom you offer (as a Millennial, I need all the help I can get!). I greatly look forward to reading more of your thoughts at LifeCraft.
Kelli Ann, This means very much to me. Thanks for this comment.
I’m sincerely looking forward to this new direction and the four-fold areas you will be addressing in the future. May the Lord richly bless you as you faithfully serve Him through your writing and teaching ministry. <
Thank you Ron! I really appreciate the encouragement.
Great news! Your blog has long been a source of inspiration for me. I’m excite for the new direction and offerings!
Thanks Ben!
I have come lately to this site. I was attracted by the title of Bacon from Acorns, which meant to me that frugality and the bounties of nature provide us with plenty. The emails stood out from other ” life” sites and I could find them easily. Sadly now the title is so like dozen of other emails each day that I will unwittingly miss it.
Josee, Thanks very much for this feedback. I am sorry to hear that, especially as it was difficult for me to make the change! But, my thought was that LifeCraft expresses better what I’m trying to do. I am still trying to think of ways to preserve Bacon from Acorns and keep it integrated into what I do. Again, I appreciate your sharing this, and I hope that the content will help it stand out.
Thank you for so much practical insight into the ways in which we can live our vocations and relationships, especially in troubled times
You are very welcome, Mary!
So this is what happens when one musters the ranks of the battle array by charging first with war elephants.