Background: “Angels on a Pin” "Angels on a Pin" is a reference of the debate taking place among the Medieval scholastists over the question of "how many angels are dancing on the tip of a pin", which is far more meaningless. "Angels on a Pin" is a reference of the debate taking place among the Medieval scholastists over the question of "how many angels are dancing on the tip of a pin", which is far more meaningless.

Background: “Angels on a Pin” The title is a clue. Medieval scholastics were fond of debating such meaningless questions as "How many angels can dance on the point of a pin," "Did Adam have a navel," and "Do angels defecate." The emerging sciences replaced such `scholarly' debates with experimentation and appeals to observable fact. The title is a clue. Medieval scholastics were fond of debating such meaningless questions as "How many angels can dance on the point of a pin," "Did Adam have a navel," and "Do angels defecate." The emerging sciences replaced such `scholarly' debates with experimentation and appeals to observable fact.

Background: “Angels on a Pin” Callandra seems to be suggesting that "exploring the deep inner logic of a subject in a pedantic way" is akin to the empty arguments of scholasticism. He compares this to the `new math', so much in the news in the 60s, which attempted to replace rote memorization of math with a deeper understanding of the logic and principles of mathematics, and he seems to be deriding that effort also. Callandra seems to be suggesting that "exploring the deep inner logic of a subject in a pedantic way" is akin to the empty arguments of scholasticism. He compares this to the `new math', so much in the news in the 60s, which attempted to replace rote memorization of math with a deeper understanding of the logic and principles of mathematics, and he seems to be deriding that effort also.

Words, Phrases and Sentence Making aid aid deserve deserve dilemma dilemma impartial impartial launch launch lean lean recall recall

Words, Phrases and Sentence Making resist resist swing swing temptation temptation warn warn be about to be about to in principle in principle be fed up with be fed up with

Sentences and Paraphrasing I said sure, but I did not quite understand why he should need my help. (unexpectedly) I said sure, but I did not quite understand why he should need my help. (unexpectedly) I laughed and pointed out to my colleague that we must admit the student really had a pretty strong case for full credit since he had indeed answered the question completely and correctly. (facts or arguments supporting one side) I laughed and pointed out to my colleague that we must admit the student really had a pretty strong case for full credit since he had indeed answered the question completely and correctly. (facts or arguments supporting one side)

Sentences and Paraphrasing “So, what would you do if you were me?” (subjunctive mood) “So, what would you do if you were me?” (subjunctive mood) I suggested that the student have another try at answering the question. (subjunctive mood) I suggested that the student have another try at answering the question. (subjunctive mood)

Sentences and Paraphrasing The beauty of this method is that you don’t have to drop the barometer and break it. (advantage) The beauty of this method is that you don’t have to drop the barometer and break it. (advantage) He smiled and admitted that he did, but said he was fed up with standard answers to standard question. (tired of) He smiled and admitted that he did, but said he was fed up with standard answers to standard question. (tired of)

Discussion Questions Can you list other as meaningless questions as “How many angels can dance on the point of a pin?” Can you list other as meaningless questions as “How many angels can dance on the point of a pin?” What is the implication of this text? What is the implication of this text?