Trivium and Quadrivium

 “Of the seven liberal arts, the quadrivium comprised what we might call the scientific studies of the day” (p.265-266). This quote made me stop simply because quadrivium was grouped as one of the liberal arts. Given that the quadrivium is made up of hard science based subject areas, I found it very surprising that it was grouped as a liberal art. However, putting into perspective the time the quadrivium was defined, I can see how it would have been considered a liberal art as that field was definitely more prevalent during that time, and the support for ‘hard sciences’ was not as great as it is now. 

“As for the quadrivium, as the sciences are called, since they have little to attract in themselves and produce only a meager profit, most of the students neglect or omit them entirely” (p.270). This quote made me stop due to the reasoning behind students choosing to not continue their education in the sciences. I found this quote quite relatable as a science student myself. While I was completing my science degree, there was often talk amongst students and students not in the science faculty that would comment on the lack of profit that could come from the completion of a science degree, without at least one extra degree after your undergrad. However, I found that the students who truly loved science were not worried about profit at the end of their schooling! Again I have to put this quote in the context of the times, where science was just starting to make a rise.

A general view of the medieval universities would seem to indicate that at any given time, whatever arithmetic was known was taught”(p.273-274). Finally, this quote surprised me in making me realize that there was a time where whatever arithmetic was known it was taught. While the amount of mathematical advancements and new fields created since that time is very large, it is still incredible to think that all known math was taught and available for students to learn. Now we are learning all different fields of math, but I can’t imagine learning about all of the arithmetic that was ever known, during my university education.