ABOUT THE CLASS
Amidst a world that wants to deny or redefine our human nature, this class will enable you to explain and defend the reality of the human person. In Understanding Human Nature, you will learn rational arguments from classical philosophy to grasp the truth about who and what man is.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
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What does it mean to be human, the rational animal?
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Is man the same as an animal? Explore what we have in common with other animals to understand what it means to be human.
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What are the powers that set man apart? Learn about the power of reason and the power of will.
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Learn why speculative reason in contemplation is the greatest fulfillment of human nature.

MEET YOUR PROFESSOR
John A. Cuddeback, who holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America, is a professor in the Philosophy Department at Christendom College. He frequently writes and lectures, on a variety of philosophical and cultural topics, for both scholarly and popular audiences. His academic writings have appeared in The Review of Metaphysics, The Thomist, and Nova et Vetera, as well as in several volumes published by the American Maritain Association. His book, True Friendship: Where Virtue Becomes Happiness, was republished for a third time in 2021, and his website, life-craft.org, is dedicated to the philosophy of family and household. A lay Dominican, Professor Cuddeback is also an avid gardener and hunter; he lives with his wife and six children in the Shenandoah Valley.
THE PRINCIPLES SOCIETY
OF CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE
When you join Christendom’s Principles Society, you join a community of Catholics who give monthly to support the development of free online Principles classes to educate Catholics around the world, while also helping Christendom College educate young Catholics in the Truth—free from federal funding.
As a Principles Patron monthly giver, your membership includes:
- The opportunity to give our youth a life-changing Catholic education and help share Principles with countless others.
- Exclusive unlimited access to upper-level Principles classes taught by Christendom College's faithful Catholic professors.
- Early access to all new Principles classes with Christendom faculty.
- Being a part of the Christendom family's prayerful community.