The mind is first directed toward truth through beauty.  Children gradually develop the ability to grasp the truth through actions of the intellect. But knowledge of the world through the senses comes first, so in the order of experience, beauty precedes truth. An adolescent boy is still very close to the first experiences of childhood, and the force of beauty in his imagination is still primary.

The role of beauty in the imagination as the guide to the true and good remains primary even into adulthood for most men. Men of a more intellectual and academic inclination may be moved primarily by abstract approaches to the truth. Such men will generally be the ones responsible for developing curricula and teaching in schools. But it must be borne in mind that most of their students will not become teachers, and, without prejudice to the those who do, the education of men must rely in large part on development of the imagination through beauty, endowing students with a great storehouse of true images by which to understand and judge the world rightly.

Beautiful images as such, in painting, or sculpture, or even photography, should play a role, but the force of words, particularly in poetry, will have greater power for most men. This is particularly true when the words are joined to music and are committed to memory, becoming a living part of a man's mind. The effectiveness of this way of learning will be increased the more it also involves the creation of beauty, in images and words, rather than passive exposure. It will be best realized in an approach which relies on memorization and creation rather than volume of material.

The importance of architecture should particularly be stressed in this context, for several reasons.  First, the physical environment in which learning takes place is crucial. Classes held outdoors, when possible, will be ideal.  But since our climate is not suited to this for much of the year, a building which reflects the nature of the studies is vital.  Cinderblock, acoustic tile, and artificial light may do more to undermine the study of beauty than unsound principles. The importance of a building with proper proportions, made of natural materials that embody the solidity of the material being taught cannot be overestimated.

But additionally, the study of architecture, and the regular practice of drawing will serve as a natural intersection between abstract principles of beauty,  mathematics, physics, and the practice of building and construction. Of all the arts, architecture should be studied in the greatest depth as the discipline which unites the curriculum.