John Cuddeback

John Cuddeback
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John A. Cuddeback is a professor and chairman of the Philosophy Department at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, where he has taught since 1995. He received a Ph.D. in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America under the direction of F. Russell Hittinger. He has lectured on various topics including virtue, culture, natural law, friendship, and household. His book Friendship: The Art of Happiness was republished in 2010 as True Friendship: Where Virtue Becomes Happiness. His writings have appeared in Nova et Vetera, The Thomist, and The Review of Metaphysics, as well as in several volumes published by the American Maritain Association. Though raised in what he calls an ‘archetypical suburb,’ Columbia, Maryland, he and his wife Sofia consider themselves blessed to be raising their six children in the shadow of the Blue Ridge on the banks of the Shenandoah. At the material center of their homesteading projects are heritage breed pigs, which like the pigs of Eumaeus are fattened on acorns, yielding a bacon that too few people ever enjoy. His website dedicated to the philosophy of family and household is baconfromacorns.com.

Recent Essays

Good-byes are Just That

They’re good. At least when we make an effort to do them right. I’m convinced after years of saying goodbye to my students—and others—that proper...

The Enemy of My Lawn?

I was shopping at Lowes last weekend, and something caught my eye. From the contents of the seasonal aisle it seems that Lowes is...

You Know You’re Middle Aged When…

“Every age of life has its own characteristics: boys are feeble, youths in their prime are aggressive, middle-aged men are dignified, old people are...

Daddy, Why are There Flowers?

I pride myself on answering questions. As a teacher I have the opportunity to answer many, and I try to do so with precision...

Fathers and Sons, and Gardens

“The land provides the greatest abundance of good things, but doesn’t allow them to be taken without effort.” “Furthermore, the land also freely teaches justice...

The Gift of Spring

“Nor would the stress Of life be bearable for tender things Did not so long a respite come between The cold and heat, and heaven’s indulgence grant This...

The Silence of Authority

Sometimes speaking, or holding one’s tongue, can make the difference. All the difference. For life and death. Many in authority today are silent when they...

The Heart, in Suffering

“Some day, perhaps, remembering even this Will be a pleasure.” Virgil, The Aeneid, I Aeneas and his men have endured much since leaving Troy. And of course...

What Can Be Sweeter?

An Ash Wednesday Quotation and Reflection “And the Lord, seeking his workman among the multitudes to whom he thus crieth, saith again: ‘What man is...

Zeus’ Plan for February

“Aegis-bearing Zeus has a design for each occasion, and mortals find this hard to comprehend.” Hesiod, Works and Days Hesiod was convinced that Zeus has a...

When Your Mother Grows Older

“For other animals have their natural ‘forethought’ which enables them to provide for themselves: whereas man lives by reason, which can attain to forethought...

Virgil and Valentines

“Duty-bound, Aeneas, though he struggled with desire To calm and comfort her in all her pain, To speak to her and turn her mind from grief, And though...