The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric

Opening the door for beginners who seek a thorough grounding in the first arts of human understanding, this book explains the nature of logic, grammar, and rhetoric-the three of the seven liberal arts-and how they relate to one another. In Renaissance universities, the trivium (literally, the crossing of three part way) formed the essence of the liberal arts curriculum. Examined are topics such as the nature and function of language, distinguishing general grammar from special grammar, the study of logic and its relationship to grammar and rhetoric, and applying the concepts of logic, grammar, and rhetoric to literary works.

This book has been quite an experience. It is effectively a lesson book from the beginning. Methodically building from the most basic premises as the trivium is developed as you read. I was constantly surprised at the depth of the lessons that are now being employed in life.

The Liberal Arts develop the mind and render the person independent. (As opposed to the Vocational Arts that enable a person to earn a living.) A Liberal Arts education used to be the hallmark of a college education. We are now more and more worried about learning things that lead directly to earning a living. There is much to be said in praise of the material presented here.

Eva Brauns said that "whoever owns this books owns a treasure;" I agree.

Sister Miriam Joseph makes a distinction between the liberal arts, which teach one how to live and allow a human to rise above his or her material environment, and the utilitarian (or servile) arts, which allow one to earn a living.

The liberal arts exist to discipline the mind and perfect the intellect, allowing a person to sort fact from fiction, and conforming his or her mind with truth. This is (or rather, SHOULD BE) the aim of education (and by extension, philosophy). Regrettably, this is not the case.

If high school students studied this book carefully prior to entering college, they would be prepared to tackle any challenge: the study of mathematics, physics, chemistry, philosophy, among other subjects, would be more enjoyable and less burdensome when studied on a firm foundation in the liberal arts of logic, grammar, and rhetoric.

BTW, there is no requirement that you be Catholic or any sort of Christian to study this book. I am an agnostic, and wouldn't think twice about recommending it.

I reviewed the book, and look forward to reading it. The novel premise of this book intrigues me. It promises to be both definitive and interesting.

This excellent work is certainly a challenge, even for someone, like myself, who studied philosophy in college. It is, however, worth the effort. Combining the original 60-year old text with the deft editing (and entirely new material, particularly in the thought-experiment examples) by Marguerite McGlinn, this is a timeless work now available and accessible to new generations of readers.

on a personal note, editor Mrs. McGlinn passed away last week after battling pancreatic cancer. if you love this book as I do, it would be wonderful to honor her memory by donating to research into this terrible disease:

Marguerite Mulligan McGlinn memorial pancreas cancer research fund

c/o Dan Laheru MD

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center

The Sidney Kimmel Compreshensive Cancer Center

Bunting-Blaustein CRB Room G89

1650 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231