The Trivium and Quadrivium Advanced Research The Trivium and Quadrivium

The Liberal Arts Core curriculum “Liber” = free person, not a slave From Plato, Socrates, and Pythagoras The Trivium and the Quadrivium

The Trivium Grammar (learning information) Logic (evaluating information) Rhetoric (expressing your conclusions) (constitute basic learning skills)

The Quadrivium Arithmetic Geometry Music Astronomy (the arts and sciences) Philosophy is the synthesis of all

Grammar First stage of research and learning. Must come before evaluation or opinions. You must first read and learn the information. Must be open-minded; avoid prejudice and mental filtering. In research, narrow the subject so that you can read everything available about it.

Logic Evaluate the value and meaning of what you have read. Use critical thinking skills. Identify fallacies in thinking. Make connections between cause and effect. Identify bogus information

Rhetoric Analyze and synthesize all information read; make connections. Write a rough draft. Fully document; develop a Works Cited page. Re-write several times, polishing your ideas and your paper. Have a friend read your paper; edit.

Reading Principles Read through the material. Note difficult passages. Read the publication information and the table of contents Do not read the preface unless the author wrote it (avoid preconceptions) Summarize each chapter or substantial section in one sentence.

Reading Cont’d Note questions, reflections, connections as you read. Underline or note important passages. When finished, go back over notes and summarize what the author has done. Question the validity and reliability of the material. What questions should you ask?

Reading Research Articles Typical pattern Introduction Methodology Data collected Statistical analysis Conclusion

Research Articles cont’d Questions to ask Does the question make sense? Is the methodology valid? Is the data representative? Is the sample big enough? Was the correct analysis method applied? Does the conclusion make sense? Does the conclusion follow from the data? Beware of averages.

Critical Thinking Keep an open mind. Insist on reasons being given. Demand sources. Compare different sources. Watch for errors in thinking. Watch for historical mistakes. Be suspicious.

Strategies for CT Know yourself; be honest and open to new ideas. Be observant like Sherlock Holmes. Clarify issues. State the issue in a clear, precise question Conduct an inquiry into facts and opinions. Interpret the evidence carefully. For details see http://lonestar.texas.net/~colby/Phil1301/ctstrategies.htm

Synthesis Involves combining, not taking apart Combining alternatives – win/win The Quaker approach – new alternatives Mind mapping Mind shift – metanoia Once you have reached metanoia you actually have something to write about. For more on autodidactism, see http://lonestar.texas.net/~colby/$trivium/autodidact.htm and http://lonestar.texas.net/~colby/$trivium/trivium.htm