|
Septem Artes Liberales,
by Herrad of Landsberg (1180 AD).
The classical
liberal arts are seven in number and were the basic skills believed
necessary for success in philosophical and theological studies. We can
examine them using the 12th century monastery painting above.
Philosophy
In the center of the
painting above, we find lady Philosophy, to whom all the arts give
service. She sits as queen of the arts, with the philosophers
Socrates and Plato under her feet. In the upper right corner, we
read,
"Seven fountains of
wisdom flow from Philosophy which are called the seven liberal arts.
The Holy Spirit is the inventor of the seven liberal arts, which
are: Grammar, Rhetoric, Dialectic, Music, Arithmetic, Geometry,
Astronomy."
It is important to note
that the seven liberal arts were held to be invented by the Holy Spirit.
It seems unlikely that the Holy Spirit would invent an educational
system that was inferior to that invented by modern "expert".
The changes in education that took place in the early 20th century were
errors, not improvements. Until we restore true education, we will
not cease to reproduce the results. We will consider the seven
liberal arts surrounding philosophy beginning at the top.
grammar
Grammar was called by the
ancients the Janua Artium, the "gateway of the arts". Grammar
holds a book and a rod (scopae) probably for punishing young students.
Above Grammar, we read,
Per me quivis discit, vox, littera, syllaba quid est..
By me does anyone learn what is the voice,
the letter and the syllable.
rhetoric
Moving clockwise from
Grammar, we find Rhetoric, holding a tablet and stilus. Rhetoric
is the art of finding the means of persuading an audience. Above
her we read,
Causarum vires per me, rhetor alme, requires.
By me, kind Rhetorician, you will seek the
force of motives/cases.
St. Augustine
addressed the importance of Rhetoric best:
"Who will dare to
say that truth is to take its stand
unarmed against falsehood. Since the faculty of eloquence is available
for both sides...why do not good men study to engage it on the side of
truth?"
-On Christian Doctrine, book IV
dialectic
Next we find Dialectic, or
Logic holding a dog's head. Some believe the dog to be used in
opposition to the wolf typically associated with heresy. Above
Dialectic it is written
Argumenta
sino concurrere more canino.
I allow arguments to battle in the manner of
a dog.
music
Fourth is Music, playing
the cithara, lyre and organistrum. Above her, we read,
Musica sum
late doctrix artis variatae.
I am Music far and wide the teacher of the
arts of variation.
arithmetic
Fourth is Arithmetic, the
art of counting objects at rest. Here she is seen counting beads
on a rope. Her banner reads,
Ex numeris consto, quorum discrimina
monstro.
From the numbers I exist, of which I teach
the differences.
geometry
Sixth is
Geometry, the art of measuring objects at rest rightly. Geometry
is seen measuring the earth with a compass. Over Geometry we read,
Terrae mensuras per multas dirigo curas.
By many pains, I direct the measurements of
the earth.
astronomy
Last is
Astronomy, holding a bushel basket and numbering the stars. The
art of astronomy considers the relation between numbers and the laws of
motion. Above Astronomy we read,
Ex astris nomen traho, per quae
discitur omen.
I draw my name from the starts, by which the
omen is learned.
Lastly, what makes
the classical liberal arts Christian is the spirit in which St.
Augustine advised that they be pursued:
"It is well to warn
studious and able young men, who fear God and are seeking for happiness
in life, not to venture heedlessly upon the branches of learning beyond
the pale of the Church of Christ as if these could secure for them the
happiness they seek."
|
