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.
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