EPISODE · May 31, 2022 · 58 MIN
EP 64 Why Must Masons Define Their Terms? The Trivium, Freemasonry, and Hard Conversations — Part 2
from Masonic Muscle · host The Origin War Has Begun
Why must Masons define their terms before having serious conversations?In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we continue Part 2 of our discussion with Shane Arch and Brother Matt Jackson on the Trivium as practiced at Palm Springs Lodge No. 693.We begin with Sister Miriam Joseph’s book, The Trivium and the first discipline of serious discussion: defining terms. Before men can argue, agree, disagree, or search for truth, they must first understand what is being said and how words are being used.That sounds simple.It is not.This episode solves one Masonic problem:How can Masons use grammar, logic, and rhetoric to have difficult conversations without falling into confusion, slogans, emotional reaction, or lazy thinking?We discuss:the Trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoricSister Miriam Joseph’s The Triviumwhy defining terms comes firstprospect education and candidate formationwhat Shane Arch has learned so far about Freemasonryclandestine lodges and regularityPrince Hall history and Masonic recognitionother Masonic podcasts and their influencethe American colonies, rebellion, sovereignty, and the break from Englandhow revolutionary thinking may have affected American Masonic culturelodge discussion etiquettehard conversations about authority, institutional response, and public pressurewhy Masons must learn how to think, not merely what to repeatThis may be one of the more unusual Masonic conversations you hear because it does not stay in the safe lane. It moves from definitions to Freemasonry, from Prince Hall to sovereignty, from Masonic history to current institutional behavior, and from lodge discussion to physical discipline.But the point is not to be reckless.The point is to practice disciplined conversation.If Masons cannot define terms, ask questions, test ideas, and stay respectful under pressure, then we are not practicing the liberal arts. We are just making noise.And yes — get some exercise, eat better, and keep building your Masonic Muscle.Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?Write to me at:[email protected] Masonic Muscle on Instagram:@masonicmuscleFollow Masonic Muscle on Facebook.Subscribe to Masonic Muscle, share this episode with one Brother, and help build a searchable Masonic education archive for the Craft.
What this episode covers
Why must Masons define their terms before having serious conversations?In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we continue Part 2 of our discussion with Shane Arch and Brother Matt Jackson on the Trivium as practiced at Palm Springs Lodge No. 693.We begin with Sister Miriam Joseph’s book, The Trivium and the first discipline of serious discussion: defining terms. Before men can argue, agree, disagree, or search for truth, they must first understand what is being said and how words are being used.That sounds simple.It is not.This episode solves one Masonic problem:How can Masons use grammar, logic, and rhetoric to have difficult conversations without falling into confusion, slogans, emotional reaction, or lazy thinking?We discuss:the Trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoricSister Miriam Joseph’s The Triviumwhy defining terms comes firstprospect education and candidate formationwhat Shane Arch has learned so far about Freemasonryclandestine lodges and regularityPrince Hall history and Masonic recognitionother Masonic podcasts and their influencethe American colonies, rebellion, sovereignty, and the break from Englandhow revolutionary thinking may have affected American Masonic culturelodge discussion etiquettehard conversations about authority, institutional response, and public pressurewhy Masons must learn how to think, not merely what to repeatThis may be one of the more unusual Masonic conversations you hear because it does not stay in the safe lane. It moves from definitions to Freemasonry, from Prince Hall to sovereignty, from Masonic history to current institutional behavior, and from lodge discussion to physical discipline.But the point is not to be reckless.The point is to practice disciplined conversation.If Masons cannot define terms, ask questions, test ideas, and stay respectful under pressure, then we are not practicing the liberal arts. We are just making noise.And yes — get some exercise, eat better, and keep building your Masonic Muscle.Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, or research lead?Write to me at:[email protected] Masonic Muscle on Instagram:@masonicmuscleFollow Masonic Muscle on Facebook.Subscribe to Masonic Muscle, share this episode with one Brother, and help build a searchable Masonic education archive for the Craft.
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EP 64 Why Must Masons Define Their Terms? The Trivium, Freemasonry, and Hard Conversations — Part 2
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