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I agree, but also disagree. The reason is because deep math like calculus or sophisticated algebra is in no way similar to any of the liberal arts and are unrelated to general knowledge and skills useful in any areas other than math. Therefore, classifying them as liberal arts makes little sense.

However, some math should be included in Liberal Arts. Learning the basics of arithmetic, numbers, counting, some geometrical concepts and logic, has a lot to do with the liberal arts. These mathematical skills are invaluable everywhere, and so they answer the basic definition of the liberal arts and should definitely be integrated into a liberal arts program.

The seven Liberal arts were defined in the 5th century. Obviously the context of what “liberal arts” means has changed over several centuries.


The term “liberal arts” is a study of general, well-rounded knowledge and developing your intellectual capacity. I would most definitely consider math a liberal art in this sense.

Martianus Capella (5th century) defined the seven Liberal Arts as: grammar, dialectic, rhetoric and geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, music. It was what separated the freeman’s education to that of a slave. So yes, I would consider a math a liberal art if we’re getting technical about categorizing it. Just because the word “art” is in the word doesn’t mean something like math can’t apply to it. But I can see how it might be confusing to the typical college student who finds the word “math” under “art”.