The translation of Euclid [a small part of the actual massive volumes of Euclid] by a disciple of the Gra brings in the introduction that the Gra said "One will lack in understanding and knowledge of Torah a hundred times in proportion to one lack of knowledge in the seven widoms."
And this is the common opinion among the rishonim that built on Saadia Gaon. [like the Chovot Levavot.] However there are other rishonim and even geonim that disagree with this.
I take the first approach to be best, but I also recognize the validity and value of the second approach.
Right after writing the above I went over to the Breslov place and listened to someone reading the books of Rav Nathan [a disciple of Rav Nahman] on the subject of "outside wisdoms" he disparages those that learn or teach them. But that while going with Rav Hai Gaon and some rishonim like the Ramban that goes with that approach, I still prefer the Saadia Gaon, Chovot Levavot, Rambam approach, which is exactly opposite.
To my way of thinking it all depends on what one is learning. If we are talking about the social studies departments of universities, well Rav Nathan was 100% correct. [As Allan Bloom goes into great depth in his Closing of the American Mind]. But if we we would be talking about STEM fields then clearly Saadia gaon and the Hovot Levavot are correct.
