We recite the Honor Code each morning.  It is an important reminder of our purpose here.  But you may have noticed something peculiar about it.  The Honor Code begins with the words:

“A Columbus Classical Academy student is…,” and even includes being “honest in all things.”  It doesn’t say that we should be or aspire to be those things.  But if we’re truly being honest, we would start by acknowledging that none of us is honest in all things…nor are we always upright, diligent, or dutiful, let alone joyful in difficulty.  So, what’s the point of reciting the code if it is not an accurate statement of fact?

Well, part of the answer lies in recognizing that it is not actually a statement of fact, but rather one of defining the ideal.  It is in a sense what logicians call an appeal to purity, also pejoratively known as the “no true Scotsman fallacy.”  The classic example goes like this:

William says, “No true Scotsman puts sugar on his porridge,” to which Robert answers, “But my uncle Angus is a Scotsman, and he puts sugar on his porridge.”  William replies, “well then he’s not a true Scotsman.”

What William really means, of course, is that when Angus puts sugar on his porridge, he is acting in a manner inconsistent with his identity as a Scotsman.  The CCA Honor Code is a little bit like that: We’re not declaring ourselves to be better than others, but we’re also not just listing a few good things we should aspire to be—there are many others besides.  No, the Honor Code is a definition of the essentials of our identity as a community.

So, remember, if you desire to be a true CCA student, then be honest and upright and diligent and dutiful and joyful…and, also, don’t put sugar on your porridge.

Have a wonderful day.