The Trivium (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric) as a division of the Seven Liberal Arts is prominently featured as a part of the Fellowcraft Degree.
“Grammar teaches the proper arrangement of words… and that excellency of expression…”
“Rhetoric teaches us to speak copiously and fluently on any subject; not merely with propriety but with all the advantages of force and elegance…”
“Logic teaches the science or doctrine of correct thinking, and directs our inquiries after truth.”
We can utilize the Trivium to discover that which is true, and to communicate that truth effectively to others. This, I believe is of great importance, especially in this time of great societal division. Certainly those Freemasons, throughout North and South America, who threw off the yoke of European colonial dominance used these skills with great effect and impact in order to garner the support of the people for their most noble cause.
How can we, as today’s Freemasons, better hone these skills in order to craft arguments that attack a subject, or battle an idea, not a person or a group of people?
How can we use what we learn in the Fellowcraft Degree to persuade others?
How best can we use Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric in our lives, and our interactions with other people?
To learn to speak, to make an argument, to defend a position with logical thoughts is truly becoming a lost art. As a society, we’re losing our critical thinking skills and allowing others to tell us what and how we should think. We’ve lost our ability to debate issues and ideas. We attack the “other side” personally for their beliefs and ideas without first talking about the belief and ideas. An idea shouldn’t be dismissed simply because of where it comes from. We should be able to logically explain why an idea may or may not work, or whether it’s something that is beneficial. When we debate we need to remind ourselves to stay away from opinions, which are usually a regurgitation of someone else’s thoughts, and “conspiracy theories”. In an age where most of us have access to the internet at our fingertips, a moment of “research” might be taken to help us organize our thoughts on the issue we want to speak to. We should also always be open to having our own minds “changed”.
A truth argued poorly is just as bad as a lie told beautifully.
Look no further than the OJ Simpson murder trial.
For those of you that still think OJ was innocent, congratulations, you bought into the biggest travesty of Justice. Why? Because the prosecutors were bumbling clowns, and the defense lawyers did a masterful job of sowing lies and misdirection that ultimately got a murderer free.
Countless millions, hundreds of millions of people throughout history had died from the eloquence of the lie.
Even today, in the age of immediate access to the vast amounts of information freely available to everyone everywhere, the lies shout down the truth.
I don't think people have lost the ability of presenting immpassioned truths, it's just that society as a whole doesn't want to hear it. Facts don't matter. The truth doesn't matter. Emotions only matter.
Even Joseph, wise beyond his years Joseph, could explain a truth - "Boys have a penis, and girls have a vagina". When we as a society can't defend such a fundamental kindergarten level truth, we're doomed.
One of my favorite stories I like to call "Charlie's Parents". It starts with a question.
Did you hear about Charlie's Parents?
Charlie's Parents had only three children. They named this one Penny, They named this one Nicholas. What did they name this one?
That's the whole story. It requires a bit of common cents. Most people have some common sense some more than others.
You will need a quarter, a nickel and a penny to properly tell the story. Thirty one common cents.
When you say, "They named this one Penny" plop down the penny. When you say, "They named this one Nicholas" plop down the nickel. Then when you say, "What did they name this one?" plop down the quarter.
You will find that most people will respond to the first question with, "Charlie who?" Just smile and don't answer the question but start telling the story. This is almost a programmed reflex. They are trying to draw an association which Charlie you are asking about.
The penny and nickel have an association with the names and most people will come up with all kinds of names to associate with a quarter. "George" "Quarter" "2 bits" etc. It is fun to watch another person's mind at work.
Most people give up. Our society has become lazy in thinking a lot in associations. For example, Golden Arches make you think of a fast food restaurant. If you think about it you can think of a lot more examples.
I often repeat the story and still they miss the first line. I explain that if Charlie's parents had only three children and they named this one penny and this one Nicholas, this one must be Charlie. or else they aren't Charlie's parents.
This story illustrates several things. Associating thinking without logic can cause confusion. Reading and hearing in context is important. Brevity in Rhetoric is often more effective than obviating long sermons.
The Trivium--Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic are the keystones to the bridge of knowledge. To be able to speak eloquently, using proper language, and make logical presentation is paramount for a proper exchange of information. I am saddened by the degradation of our written and spoken language these days. Proper spelling and punctuation have gone by the wayside. Use of the correct word to express an idea is now problematic because too many people just don't have a good working vocabulary. And thus, the decline of our society. We tend to meet any opposing or radical idea with disdain and *ad hominem* attacks. Our language is a part of who we are. Let us constantly study the Trivium!
Throughout school, I was pretty good at the other 4 of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. I love astronomy as a hobby, I graduated from High school with Departmental Honors in math, and I was a member of the college jazz band when I was 13 years old. But I didn’t do that well in the English and Reading classes, and it showed up on my report cards and transcripts. I could spell well; I won the school Spelling Bee in 6th grade, but my grammar could have been better, and forget about public speaking!
That changed when I joined the Masonic Lodge. By studying and learning the ritual, and committing the lectures to memory, I started learning bigger words and more complex methods of grammar, methods used by accomplished authors throughout history. What was confusing and frustrating in high school literature class now became more clear, and I became a better communicator.
“From the spirit you have hitherto evinced, I entertain no doubt that your conduct will be such as to merit the applause of your brethren and the testimony of a good conscience.” To some, this text might seem pompous, hamming it up, or trying to sound like a big shot. You could have just as easily said, “from what I’ve seen, I’m pretty sure that you’ll do things that your Brothers will appreciate, and you’ll also be content that you’re doing the right thing.” Which one is more eloquent? You’ll find that when you learn this ritual, you’ll start including this method of speech in your everyday conversation, and people will respect you more for it. People do judge you by the words you use.
In summation, the Trivium is indeed an important part of being an educated, constructive member of society, and it should be an important part of our Masonic Education.
To learn to speak, to make an argument, to defend a position with logical thoughts is truly becoming a lost art. As a society, we’re losing our critical thinking skills and allowing others to tell us what and how we should think. We’ve lost our ability to debate issues and ideas. We attack the “other side” personally for their beliefs and ideas without first talking about the belief and ideas. An idea shouldn’t be dismissed simply because of where it comes from. We should be able to logically explain why an idea may or may not work, or whether it’s something that is beneficial. When we debate we need to remind ourselves to stay away from opinions, which are usually a regurgitation of someone else’s thoughts, and “conspiracy theories”. In an age where most of us have access to the internet at our fingertips, a moment of “research” might be taken to help us organize our thoughts on the issue we want to speak to. We should also always be open to having our own minds “changed”.
A truth argued poorly is just as bad as a lie told beautifully.
Look no further than the OJ Simpson murder trial.
For those of you that still think OJ was innocent, congratulations, you bought into the biggest travesty of Justice. Why? Because the prosecutors were bumbling clowns, and the defense lawyers did a masterful job of sowing lies and misdirection that ultimately got a murderer free.
Countless millions, hundreds of millions of people throughout history had died from the eloquence of the lie.
Even today, in the age of immediate access to the vast amounts of information freely available to everyone everywhere, the lies shout down the truth.
I don't think people have lost the ability of presenting immpassioned truths, it's just that society as a whole doesn't want to hear it. Facts don't matter. The truth doesn't matter. Emotions only matter.
Even Joseph, wise beyond his years Joseph, could explain a truth - "Boys have a penis, and girls have a vagina". When we as a society can't defend such a fundamental kindergarten level truth, we're doomed.
One of my favorite stories I like to call "Charlie's Parents". It starts with a question.
Did you hear about Charlie's Parents?
Charlie's Parents had only three children. They named this one Penny, They named this one Nicholas. What did they name this one?
That's the whole story. It requires a bit of common cents. Most people have some common sense some more than others.
You will need a quarter, a nickel and a penny to properly tell the story. Thirty one common cents.
When you say, "They named this one Penny" plop down the penny. When you say, "They named this one Nicholas" plop down the nickel. Then when you say, "What did they name this one?" plop down the quarter.
You will find that most people will respond to the first question with, "Charlie who?" Just smile and don't answer the question but start telling the story. This is almost a programmed reflex. They are trying to draw an association which Charlie you are asking about.
The penny and nickel have an association with the names and most people will come up with all kinds of names to associate with a quarter. "George" "Quarter" "2 bits" etc. It is fun to watch another person's mind at work.
Most people give up. Our society has become lazy in thinking a lot in associations. For example, Golden Arches make you think of a fast food restaurant. If you think about it you can think of a lot more examples.
I often repeat the story and still they miss the first line. I explain that if Charlie's parents had only three children and they named this one penny and this one Nicholas, this one must be Charlie. or else they aren't Charlie's parents.
This story illustrates several things. Associating thinking without logic can cause confusion. Reading and hearing in context is important. Brevity in Rhetoric is often more effective than obviating long sermons.
The Trivium--Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic are the keystones to the bridge of knowledge. To be able to speak eloquently, using proper language, and make logical presentation is paramount for a proper exchange of information. I am saddened by the degradation of our written and spoken language these days. Proper spelling and punctuation have gone by the wayside. Use of the correct word to express an idea is now problematic because too many people just don't have a good working vocabulary. And thus, the decline of our society. We tend to meet any opposing or radical idea with disdain and *ad hominem* attacks. Our language is a part of who we are. Let us constantly study the Trivium!
Here’s another side of learning the “trivium.”
Throughout school, I was pretty good at the other 4 of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. I love astronomy as a hobby, I graduated from High school with Departmental Honors in math, and I was a member of the college jazz band when I was 13 years old. But I didn’t do that well in the English and Reading classes, and it showed up on my report cards and transcripts. I could spell well; I won the school Spelling Bee in 6th grade, but my grammar could have been better, and forget about public speaking!
That changed when I joined the Masonic Lodge. By studying and learning the ritual, and committing the lectures to memory, I started learning bigger words and more complex methods of grammar, methods used by accomplished authors throughout history. What was confusing and frustrating in high school literature class now became more clear, and I became a better communicator.
“From the spirit you have hitherto evinced, I entertain no doubt that your conduct will be such as to merit the applause of your brethren and the testimony of a good conscience.” To some, this text might seem pompous, hamming it up, or trying to sound like a big shot. You could have just as easily said, “from what I’ve seen, I’m pretty sure that you’ll do things that your Brothers will appreciate, and you’ll also be content that you’re doing the right thing.” Which one is more eloquent? You’ll find that when you learn this ritual, you’ll start including this method of speech in your everyday conversation, and people will respect you more for it. People do judge you by the words you use.
In summation, the Trivium is indeed an important part of being an educated, constructive member of society, and it should be an important part of our Masonic Education.