PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION

The Effect of Masonry on the Seven Liberal Arts of Public School Education

The Effect of Masonry on the Seven Liberal Arts of Public School Education

I. Introduction

The Staircase Lecture is presented to the Masonic candidate in the second degree of his work -that of Fellowcraft. The lecture is considered to be quite a long one as it covers many subjects pertinent to the Mysteries of Freemasonry. Within the dissertation are explanations of the three, five, and seven steps, which compose the staircase. Yet when the lecture reaches the seven steps we are merely told that they represent the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences; and, the seven subjects are named. There are no further explanations given, nor elaboration offered but for one exception -that of geometry. Being that the seven make up the bulk of the staircase, it would seem that further light would be forthcoming. But such is not the case.

In this situation, we are left with more questions than answers. Why are these particular subjects mentioned? It is certainly debatable whether or not these are the most important academic disciplines. Why are there just seven? There are certainly more than just seven arts and sciences. Why are they in a staircase motif? If we took this to mean levels of prerequisite education or understanding or of importance, there would be considerable disagreement regarding this order. So what we are really left with are implications derived from the comments on geometry. That is, that these are subjects worthy of study and geometry is the most important of the seven. We are then left with the broadest question of them all: Is this the extent of the message to the candidate?

In fact, that is the idea conveyed to most candidates. The apparent interpretation of the seven steps is the importance of acquiring a solid well-rounded education. And perhaps, highlighting the intimate connection between Masonry and geometry. What other notion could the candidate have? The importance of education has always been stressed in Freemasonry, not only for cultural reasons, but also for its role in promoting freedom and restricting tyranny. Indeed, there seems to be an inverse correlation between the education of the population and the success of tyranny. But, the importance of a good solid education seems obvious to most people. There is nothing very profound about the good sense of acquiring it. We do not need to join a fraternity nor participate in rituals to impress this wisdom upon us.

The history of the Seven Liberal Arts tells us a completely different story. Its origin is in antiquity. Its role in the development of Western Civilization was immense. And its adoption among the Fraternity suggests far more than currently realized. And because its history and relevance to both our culture and our Craft was so central, it sadly points to the present situation of American Masonry as something near tragic. What was once a precious adornment of our Lodge has now become basically a footnote in ...