Aristotle’s influence to modern education
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ARISTOTLE
Introduction
This paper explores the works of Aristotle. The paper will focus on his life and some of the great people that he mentored. It will also include his views on education on how his works influenced education then and now. It will also explore on his teachings on how they relate to the methods of teachings today. In this regard, it will be established whether his methods have influenced education methods in the current system, especially in the digital world.
Historical background
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who lived between 384-322 BC (Encarta 2009). He was a student of Plato. He counseled Hermias, whose niece he married. He also taught Alexander the Great. He started his own school at Athens in 335BC when Alexander became king (Encarta 2209). The schools were known as Peripapatetic (walking schooling) because teachers and students did their work while they were walking (Encarta 2009). Aristotle retired after the death of Alexander the Great in 323BC and died the following year.
Aristotle works
Just like his teacher Plato, Aristotle made use of dialogues, though they did not have the imagination of Plato (Encarta 2009). He wrote several works such as the dictionary of philosophic terms and a summary of the doctrines of Pythagoras. However, most of his dialogues have been lost and can be located in parts in the works of other writers.
Later editors have organized his works. These works include treaties on logic called Organon, called so because they provide the means by which knowledge can be attained (Barnes 1997). His contribution on natural science includes works on physics with information on astronomy, meteorology, plants, and animals. His writings on nature, scope, and properties of being, which he calls philosophy have been given the title Metaphysics. He dedicated his works on ethics to his son Nichomachus and called them Nichomachean Ethics. His other works include Rhetoric, Poetics, and politics.
Unlike Plato whose emphasis was on mathematics, Aristotle’s works lay emphasis on biology. In his works, he regarded the world as made up of individuals (substance) occurring in fixed natural kinds (species). Each individual has its own inbuilt specific pattern of development and grows towards self-realization as a specimen of its type (Hughes & Gerand 2001).
His ideas on education can be said to have had such a great influence in modern education. Some of ideas still exist in various subjects in our school curriculums. Some of his propositions on various disciplines are still studied in one way or another in our classes. Some of these ideas are as outlined.
In physics, he stated that there is a finite spherical universe with the earth as its centre. The central is made up of four elements, namely, earth, air, fire, and water that exist and balance according to their weights (Barnes 1997). This idea has been developed in the study of the universe and is the basis of study in much of the school curriculum in the study of the universe.
In biology, he stated that there is a fixed set of natural kinds (species) each reproducing true to type (Barnes 1997).
In psychology, he said that psychology is the study of the soul. He defined soul as a kind of functioning of a body organized so that it can support vital functions (Barnes, 1997).
On ethics, he argued that human nature certainly involves a capacity for forming habits; but the habits that a particular individual forms depend on that individual culture and repeated personal choices (Barnes 1997).
Aristotle’s influence to modern education
Although most of his work has been lost, his influence to modern education cannot be overemphasized. His works are quoted in most of the later writers. They form an important basis of study in schools. His ideas have been widely developed to influence even modern educational methods. In fact his classes, peripatetic could be rightly be termed as the modern developed form of digital learning where students and their teachers can study and teach respectively while on the move.
Barnes (1982) says there can be no doubting his significance to education. He refers to him as “a tireless scholar, whose scientific explorations were as wide ranging as his philosophical speculations were profound; a teacher who inspired – and who continues to inspire – generations of pupils; a controversial public figure who lived a turbulent life in a turbulent world. He bestrode antiquity like an intellectual colossus. No man before him had contributed so much to learning. No man after could hope to rival his achievement” (Barnes, 2002).
Conclusion
There is no shadow of doubt that Aristotle was a great scholar who mentored many and great men at the time of his life. His influence continues to be felt even today. The loss of his works notwithstanding, many scholars have continued to draw inspiration from him. That is why you will find his work quoted in many writings by various writers and scholars. The emergence of new technology has not been able to curtail his influence. He continues and will continue to inspire generations from his works and research.