Thewhole of the Trivium was in fact intended to teach the pupil the proper use ofthe tools of learning, before he began to apply them to “subjects” at all
The point of putting the Trivium in front of the Quadrivium is that the student is first taught the use of the "tools of learning" before they are then taught how to apply them to broad subjects as a means of learning how to learn.
Alcuin who developed the curriculum into the trivium—of grammar, logic, andrhetoric—and, following this, the quadrivium, of arithmetic, astronomy,geometry, and music.
Outline of academic disciplines
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_academic_disciplines
Broad area outline of academic disciplines - humanities - social science - natural science - formal science - applied science
Compare these with the original trivium and quadrivium or early humanities and arts and sciences designations.
One of the masters of the school, Hugh (d. 1140 or 1141), wrote a text, the Didascalicon, on whatshould be learned and why. The emphasis differs significantly from that of William of Conches. It isdependent on the classical trivium and quadrivium and pedagogical traditions dating back to St.Augustine and Imperial Rome.
Hugh of St. Victor wrote Didascalicon, a text about what topics should be learned and why. In it, he outlined seven mechanical arts (or technologies) in analogy with the seven liberal arts (trivium and quadrivium) as ways to repair the weaknesses inherit in humanity.
These seven mechanical arts he defines are: - fabric making - armament - commerce - agriculture - hunting - medicine - theatrics
Hugh of St. Victor's description of the mechanical art of commerce here is fascinating. He says "reconciles nations, calms wars, strengthens peace, and turns the private good of individuals into a benefit for all" (doublcheck the original quotation, context, and source). This sounds eerily familiar to the common statement in the United States about trade and commerce.
Link this to the quote from Albie Duncan in The West Wing (season 5?) about trade.
Other places where this sentiment occurs?
Is Hugh of St. Victor the first in history to state this sentiment?