The Trivium

The Classical Trivium consists of:

-Grammar (Input) (Gathering knowledge based on available information)

-Logic (Processing) (Understanding through intellect)

-Rhetoric (Output) (Action/behavior based on the decision-making process) [see: Rhetoric]

The natural process of the Trivium is as follows:

↓Action ("guts")↓

• Input (Grammar)  [Knowledge through grammar - based on available information.]
• Gathering data from an eclectic array of sources without prejudging it.
• Through the process of input, we can answer: "Who, what, when, & where?" and come to a place of knowledge.

Stimulus↓

↓Thought ("mind")↓

• Processing (Logic)  [Understanding though logic - decision-making process.]
• Filtration, correlation, & analysis enables us to learn "why?" (the reason, the meaning, the purpose...) and arrive at a place of understanding.

↓Emotion ("heart")↓

Response↓

• Output (Rhetoric)  [Wisdom though rhetoric - human behavior] [see: Rhetoric]
• Speech and action based upon the knowledge that one has gathered and understands.
• This is "how" knowledge and understanding are propagated so that real and positive change can be created.
• It is through output that one can achieve wisdom.

↓Action ("guts")↓

[Feeds back to input]

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How our reality is built:

• Knowledge - Available information
• This constitutes potential knowledge that may be gathered, processed, understood, and acted upon by individuals.

↓

• Understanding - Decision-making process
• These processes take place in the human mind and are chosen by each individual based upon available information.

↓

• Wisdom - Human behavior
• Each individual's behavior is based upon the quality of their decision-making processes, which, in turn, are based upon the quality of their available information.

↓

• Generated Result (order or chaos?) - Manifested reality
• The quality of the condition which manifests in any society is based upon the aggregate quality of behavior within that society.