Aristotle's Views on Education

Thesis statement

Practical knowledge is more important than theory based learning

Introduction

According to Aristotle, he was of the view that education in city’s affected children’s character. As a result, the role of educational was always meant to ensure it serves the existing needs in the society. He thus advocated for private tutoring especially by parents because it went a long way in shaping children’s habits. Most parents, on the other hand, were keen to ensure their kids learned their cultures and likely to be achieved when such an initiative is adopted. It is despite, a lot of views being expressed. Different people also shared a common view but differed in how they expressed their opinion. Among the conventional views were, the need to emphasize on morality as well as knowledge. He still was in favor for the need to focus much on what mattered as opposed to merely teaching children what wasn’t likely to add value to their life.

Analysis

The primary focus thus ought to direct attention on practical subjects. Such knowledge was likely to go a long way in adding value to their life in future now that they can still utilize such skills which are to a great extent so essential to life. However, it was also important to as well encourage students to embrace manual labor. Some were, on the other hand, likely to look down on themselves while carrying out such activity but needed to change their perception. Tutors thus needed to come up with the right approach to encourage a shift in the way some had a wrong misconception. Despite education playing an incredible role in the human society, people were also encouraged to avoid blowing it out of proportion only making it overbearing. As long as there was certification from the acquired knowledge, it was prone to be acknowledged as good. Such knowledge could as well help transform the society until the goal turned to an essential service rendered to the community. Whenever such a situation came about, there was a need to consider a different approach.

He also distinguished the various forms of knowledge, at the top both reading as well as writing were also discussed. The two acts as a powerful tool of communication but still a lot could be realized via physical training as demonstrated by practical knowledge. Music still was a very effective means of communication as depicted in various cultures. Most people also expressed their culture through music and had for a long time plaid an important role among most communities. It was, however, hard for one to quantify the effect of music. It’s in spite of it being used for leisure and meant to bring about relaxation during many occasions.

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He also laid emphasis on how both; playing as well as relaxation plaid a great role after undergoing a tough encounter as experienced after work. Leisure was, on the other hand, seen as a higher form of relaxation owing to the relief it was likely to bring about as demonstrated by a feeling of happiness. Leisure was also likened to be the ultimate goal of a quality life and prone to be the envy of every man. Aristotle was, however, of a different view as demonstrated by his take on music. According to him, it rarely inspired courage but embraced during leisure activities and thus only helped man spent the little time on leisure yet could still use such time while seeking to contribute more to life.

Still on the same note, while both reading and writing may have played a great role in society, a lot was yet to be done and thus the need to also encourage their application. The society was prone to realize much when embraced owing to their ability to enhance human knowledge. As seen from this case study, Aristotle favored practical knowledge as compared to the use of theory. It is despite most schools embracing the use of theory while educating children thus prone to affect their future life negatively due to less practical skills yet so essential in life.

There was thus need to start by training students well right from a young age. At such an age this shouldn’t be overdone owing to its implication on them. When wrongly administered, it could as well fail to replicate the set goal. The student still needed to be trained for about three more years and meant to engage both their frame and mind. From Aristotle’s example, as portrayed in music, there was a need to go beyond theory. When well developed, knowledge of music was likely to be demonstrated through an excellent performance and achieved over time as a result of dedication and practice.

Conclusion

A lot is highlighted, however, as noted by Aristotle, there is a need to emphasize more on practical knowledge as opposed to concentrating much on theory as seen in most education systems. Such systems are only designed to meet the expectation these societies as opposed to empowering students thus the need to borrow a different approach to bringing about a difference in the community.