Traditional Geometry
Classes in traditional geometry form the ‘backbone’ of the curriculum. Students are introduced to both the practice and meaning of the discipline of geometry. Geometry was one of the ‘Seven Liberal Arts’ studied in Plato’s Academy and, until relatively recently, was considered to be vitally important in the education of those who sought knowledge. As Plato wrote, geometry “would tend to draw the soul to truth.” (The Republic, 527b). Geometry, the hierarchy of mathematical spatial expression, is taught from first principles in the traditional manner; using a hand-held pair of compasses, a straight edge, and later a square or set square. Geometric pattern is cosmological, reflecting as it does the natural order, and is thus inherently beautiful. The Prince’s School recognises that it is geometry that provides the link between all of the sacred and traditional arts, and for this reason it is given great emphasis.
The Geometry of Structure and Space
Space is one of the five conditions of existence in the material world. The remaining four conditions are: time, form, number, and substance. As ‘conditions’ they are considered ‘pre-existent’ to manifestation and become the laws by which the manifest state is held in being. Although the five conditions are interdependent, space is studied as a subject in its own right. The art of space is fundamental to all the arts. By definition, space is both the theatre of events and a participant in determining events through the word ‘direction’. Students are guided through the fundamentals of dimension, from point to line, line to plane, plane to solid (all as structure). Comparisons are made between ancient findings and philosophical definitions and the most modern discoveries of atomic
physics. The course is based on Professor Critchlow’s text book ‘Order in Space’, first published by Thames and
