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”.
I think that some of the problem is that we are placing ourselves in little 'silo's' based on our media choices. We hear only that which confirms our biases, and that makes us much less able to understand the other side of an issue.
As an example of this, I think that most people know that I do politics for a living, specifically Republican politics. This leads to a lot of Fox news watching, because I need to know what is going on in the world that I work within. I also however find that I need to watch some MSNBC as well, and if I watch both, then I actually have a much better chance of getting a complete picture. Otherwise, it can tend to be badly slanted, by both outlets. I think that on social media, this is even further amplified.
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.
>>"The truth doesn't matter. Emotions only matter."
I have noticed this as well. It is the dead opposite of the enlightenment and it is growing within our society. It can lead nowhere but towards barbarism. It is a trend that must be opposed.
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.
I think that your point about brevity is well taken. Thank you.
In my view, some of our greatest Masonic authors are the men from around 150 years ago. We could learn a great deal from them. Unfortunately, most Masons won't read them, and at least part of the reason has to be that they tended to use 100 words when 1 would have sufficed.
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!
A large percentage of my professional time over the past decades has been spent crafting formal written communications. Letters and policy documents that need to be understood for they treat serious subjects that can result in a significant impact on people's lives.
At some point I decided to take a course that was offered, purporting to teach us about the average audience for these communications, and how best to communicate effectively to that average.
What really struck me, and that I've not forgotten all these years later, is that it was shown that the average reading level for adults within the State of Washington is Fifth Grade.
This reminds me of a game show, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, that was called “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” This game show really drove the point home, and it’s still popular to watch to this day.
Coupled with other game shows, it shows that the general public knows more about pop and celebrity culture than they do about fundamentals. This is what we’re up against when we’re giving consideration to membership in our Fraternity.
But this nugget of information also can start up another discussion, and that would be fine if it started here.
I think it very clear that when Preston and the others who worked so hard creating our ritual did it, they wanted to really push Masons towards learning, specifically the seven arts and sciences that in their time helped make a well rounded individual.
That is why so much of our Fellowcraft Degree is taken up by it. Unfortunately, I think that a great many Masons just let that part of our Lectures just wash over them without ever really sinking in.
The fact is that an educated man can not be easily enslaved. On the other hand, the uneducated man is very easily enslaved, even enslaved by his own passions. Without Logic, he can not think, without Rhetoric, he can not argue effectively, without Grammar, he can not write with impact. Such a man is very easily dominated and controlled both by his own ignorance, his own drives, and by others.
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.
Our ritual is beautiful, and of course, deeply meaningful if it is understood.
I think that in order to be understood, it needs to be delivered exceptionally well.
I read a post on social media the other day, it was said that the Lodge opened on the Second, called down to the First for an EA to give the posting Lecture, called back up to the Second, a Fellowcraft Degree was conferred, and the the Lodge was closed. All within an hour and a half.
When I read that, I had to wonder, how well was the ritual and the Lecture delivered? It seems that it would have been almost like a race, and that is neither good for the Candidate, nor the Lodge.
I drove out to a Lodge about 50 miles away, rendezvousing with another Brother at a Lodge halfway there. On the way to the rendezvous point, I blew a heater hose, and had to abandon my car in the parking lot, to be dealt with later. I carpooled with the other Brother to the Lodge. I was to deliver the first degree lecture at this Lodge, and even though I was to be late, the timing was to be so I would arrive in time to deliver it.
We showed up 40 minutes after the scheduled meeting start time, and the Tyler let us in to the meeting, just in time to hear the Conferring Worshipful Master explain to the new Entered Apprentice the use of the gavel, walking between the Altar and the East, etc. I was confused, then astounded as the Lodge then proceeded to close. After closing, I immediately went to the installed Worshipful Master and asked him when they opened the Lodge. He said 6:00. I then asked him if it was true that the Lodge opened, conferred a first degree, gave the lecture AND the charge, all in 40 minutes. He admitted that happened, and also admitted he couldn’t explain how it all happened, it happened so fast. I then went to the conferring Master, who apologized and said he just couldn’t help himself! I was livid. It took me longer to get to the Lodge from my house than it took to initiate this new Brother into our Fraternity. And it took even longer to get my car repaired enough to get it home once my carpooler returned me to my car.
Interestingly, this Lodge still exists, although they have more outstanding Entered Apprentices than Master Masons. I made it very clear to members of both Lodges (the one I attended and the one where I parked my car, which also has a similar ratio of EA’s to MM’s, and has many common members) that this cannot continue, and I will not give lectures in their Lodges if they confer them in this manner. Since that time, both Lodges have done degree work, and I’ve given a few lectures in them, but they still have issues with EA’s finding the time and effort to become Fellowcrafts. And it’s not for lack of Brothers admonishing them of one of the chief reasons why.
In order to become an EA, a man will have spent at least some time getting to know us, gone through an interview process, completed a petition, waited quite a bit of time, and paid a non meaningless amount of money.
Given all of that, he is quite likely committed.
If he is given a quality Degree, and quality mentorship, he will return for the next two. When he doesn't return, it is most likely that one or both of these things were lacking.
Lodges who lose an EA or an FC need to look deeply within their own practices to discover the likely reason why, instead of just assuming that Masonry turned out to be something that the man didn't want, or that there was something wrong with him.
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”.
I think that some of the problem is that we are placing ourselves in little 'silo's' based on our media choices. We hear only that which confirms our biases, and that makes us much less able to understand the other side of an issue.
As an example of this, I think that most people know that I do politics for a living, specifically Republican politics. This leads to a lot of Fox news watching, because I need to know what is going on in the world that I work within. I also however find that I need to watch some MSNBC as well, and if I watch both, then I actually have a much better chance of getting a complete picture. Otherwise, it can tend to be badly slanted, by both outlets. I think that on social media, this is even further amplified.
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.
>>"The truth doesn't matter. Emotions only matter."
I have noticed this as well. It is the dead opposite of the enlightenment and it is growing within our society. It can lead nowhere but towards barbarism. It is a trend that must be opposed.
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.
I think that your point about brevity is well taken. Thank you.
In my view, some of our greatest Masonic authors are the men from around 150 years ago. We could learn a great deal from them. Unfortunately, most Masons won't read them, and at least part of the reason has to be that they tended to use 100 words when 1 would have sufficed.
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!
A large percentage of my professional time over the past decades has been spent crafting formal written communications. Letters and policy documents that need to be understood for they treat serious subjects that can result in a significant impact on people's lives.
At some point I decided to take a course that was offered, purporting to teach us about the average audience for these communications, and how best to communicate effectively to that average.
What really struck me, and that I've not forgotten all these years later, is that it was shown that the average reading level for adults within the State of Washington is Fifth Grade.
This reminds me of a game show, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, that was called “Are you smarter than a fifth grader?” This game show really drove the point home, and it’s still popular to watch to this day.
Coupled with other game shows, it shows that the general public knows more about pop and celebrity culture than they do about fundamentals. This is what we’re up against when we’re giving consideration to membership in our Fraternity.
But this nugget of information also can start up another discussion, and that would be fine if it started here.
I think it very clear that when Preston and the others who worked so hard creating our ritual did it, they wanted to really push Masons towards learning, specifically the seven arts and sciences that in their time helped make a well rounded individual.
That is why so much of our Fellowcraft Degree is taken up by it. Unfortunately, I think that a great many Masons just let that part of our Lectures just wash over them without ever really sinking in.
The fact is that an educated man can not be easily enslaved. On the other hand, the uneducated man is very easily enslaved, even enslaved by his own passions. Without Logic, he can not think, without Rhetoric, he can not argue effectively, without Grammar, he can not write with impact. Such a man is very easily dominated and controlled both by his own ignorance, his own drives, and by others.
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.
Our ritual is beautiful, and of course, deeply meaningful if it is understood.
I think that in order to be understood, it needs to be delivered exceptionally well.
I read a post on social media the other day, it was said that the Lodge opened on the Second, called down to the First for an EA to give the posting Lecture, called back up to the Second, a Fellowcraft Degree was conferred, and the the Lodge was closed. All within an hour and a half.
When I read that, I had to wonder, how well was the ritual and the Lecture delivered? It seems that it would have been almost like a race, and that is neither good for the Candidate, nor the Lodge.
This reminds me of a true story, from 2013.
I drove out to a Lodge about 50 miles away, rendezvousing with another Brother at a Lodge halfway there. On the way to the rendezvous point, I blew a heater hose, and had to abandon my car in the parking lot, to be dealt with later. I carpooled with the other Brother to the Lodge. I was to deliver the first degree lecture at this Lodge, and even though I was to be late, the timing was to be so I would arrive in time to deliver it.
We showed up 40 minutes after the scheduled meeting start time, and the Tyler let us in to the meeting, just in time to hear the Conferring Worshipful Master explain to the new Entered Apprentice the use of the gavel, walking between the Altar and the East, etc. I was confused, then astounded as the Lodge then proceeded to close. After closing, I immediately went to the installed Worshipful Master and asked him when they opened the Lodge. He said 6:00. I then asked him if it was true that the Lodge opened, conferred a first degree, gave the lecture AND the charge, all in 40 minutes. He admitted that happened, and also admitted he couldn’t explain how it all happened, it happened so fast. I then went to the conferring Master, who apologized and said he just couldn’t help himself! I was livid. It took me longer to get to the Lodge from my house than it took to initiate this new Brother into our Fraternity. And it took even longer to get my car repaired enough to get it home once my carpooler returned me to my car.
Interestingly, this Lodge still exists, although they have more outstanding Entered Apprentices than Master Masons. I made it very clear to members of both Lodges (the one I attended and the one where I parked my car, which also has a similar ratio of EA’s to MM’s, and has many common members) that this cannot continue, and I will not give lectures in their Lodges if they confer them in this manner. Since that time, both Lodges have done degree work, and I’ve given a few lectures in them, but they still have issues with EA’s finding the time and effort to become Fellowcrafts. And it’s not for lack of Brothers admonishing them of one of the chief reasons why.
In order to become an EA, a man will have spent at least some time getting to know us, gone through an interview process, completed a petition, waited quite a bit of time, and paid a non meaningless amount of money.
Given all of that, he is quite likely committed.
If he is given a quality Degree, and quality mentorship, he will return for the next two. When he doesn't return, it is most likely that one or both of these things were lacking.
Lodges who lose an EA or an FC need to look deeply within their own practices to discover the likely reason why, instead of just assuming that Masonry turned out to be something that the man didn't want, or that there was something wrong with him.