The Seven Liberal Arts

The liberal arts (Latin: artes liberales) are those subjects or skills that are considered essential to preparing a person to think critically, and therefore to be liberated or freed to take an active part in civic life. For Ancient Greece, this kind of freedom encouraged participating in public debate, defending oneself in court, serving on juries, engaging in an occupation of choice, and most importantly, military service. Grammar, logic, and rhetoric were the core liberal arts, while arithmetic, geometry, the theory of music, and astronomy also played a part in education. The liberal arts are defined as:

The Trivium: The place where three roads meet

Grammar: Teaches the mechanics of language to the student. This is the step where the student "comes to terms", i.e. defining the objects and information perceived by the five senses. Hence, the Law of Identity: a tree is a tree, and not a cat.

Logic (also dialectic): Teaches the mechanics of thought and of analysis; the process of identifying fallacious arguments and statements, and so systematically removing contradictions, thereby producing factual knowledge that can be trusted.

Rhetoric: Teaches the application of language in order to instruct and to persuade the listener and the reader. It is the knowledge (grammar) now understood (logic) being transmitted outwards, as wisdom (rhetoric).

The Trivium: In summary

Grammar is concerned with the thing as it is symbolized. Logic is concerned with the thing as it is known. Rhetoric is concerned with the thing as it is communicated.

The Quadrivium: The place where four roads meet

Arithmetic: number (pure)

Geometry: number in space (stationary)

Music: number in time (moving)

Astronomy: number in space and time (applied)

The Quadrivium: In summary

The quadrivium was considered preparatory work for the serious study of philosophy (sometimes called the "liberal art par excellence") and theology.

You can see why we believe that alongside of the discovery and application of revealed Biblical truth, the classical method of learning in the liberal arts tradition sets young hearts and minds free to reason Biblically and empowers them to shape the culture of the next generation.