FBL 03: Memory Work & The Liberal Arts Tradition

Someone recently asked “In light of the Liberal Arts tradition, how do you approach memory work and what type of content would be the focus? Is there a place for learning the “grammar of” history, science, math, etc. and how does that relate to content rich in ideas and literary like?”

This is an excellent question and will also be the focus for this Facebook Live event, have a listen and join the conversation here in comments or over on our facebook page.

Notes & Resources from Memory Work & the Liberal Arts Tradition

:: Throughout this talk I mention last week’s Facebook Live event. Here is the link to that if you are interested in viewing it.

:: A little bit of my story with how I grew in my own understanding of classical education and memory work.

:: Developing a relationship with things is the foundational principle that we are working from throughout this talk today.

::What do we mean by memory work? The differences in how we view this really matters. Above all, we need to seek unity and the truth. What are ways people in the classical tradition view memory work?

:: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glass

:: Dorothy Sayers’ Essay ‘The Lost Tools of Learning‘

:: Clark & Jain’s The Liberal Arts Tradition

:: What do we mean by the 7 Liberal Arts?

:: We reconcile these tensions by going back to the purpose.

:: It’s about the relationship. This is the connection between knowledge and virtue.

:: True for relationships with people, the things we learn, and our calling.

:: What methods help to build relationships?

:: Subjects and Arts. What is the difference?

:: ‘Why Writing is not a subject and why every subject needs it’ Conference talk by Andrew Kern

:: We need to think about what an art is and how it should be taught.

:: What is the nature of a subject/art/teacher/student? This question will lead us to fitting forms and methods for teaching everything.

:: Nature Study – Science Example

:: Literature example

:: Math example

:: Latin example

:: Ask the Question ‘What kind of thing is this?’

:: Refuse to let fear drive us and be okay with where we each are in this journey.

:: Be brave enough to ask the hard questions. The goal is truth.

:: The Trivium: The Liberal Arts of Logic, Grammar, and Rhetoric by Sister Miriam Joseph

:: The highest good is to perceive truth and become more aligned with an already ordered cosmos.

:: Any particular we talk about is never just about the particular.

:: Harmonize things. Ask great questions.

:: The real nature and different kinds of knowledge.

:: Relational Knowledge

:: In summary