Aristotle and the ultimate point of education. DOCX

Title	Aristotle and the ultimate point of education.
Author	Tracey L Baglin
Pages	3
File Size	35.3 KB
File Type	DOCX
Total Downloads	428
Total Views	587

Summary

EPHUMA1010 The World's Great Thinkers Tracey Baglin Essay 1-3 Aristotle, the ultimate point of education c3230093 Aristotle’s views on education still resonate in the increasingly vocation-orientated 21st century, and upon the promotion of a higher purpose to enhance social equality. In understa...

Description

EPHUMA1010 The World's Great Thinkers Essay 1-3 Aristotle, the ultimate point of education Tracey Baglin c3230093 Aristotle's views on education still resonate in the increasingly vocation-orientated 21st century, and upon the promotion of a higher purpose to enhance social equality. In understanding Aristotle's ultimate point of education as a means of attaining happiness through virtue, the abstract nature of liberal arts — and music in particular — justified their place at the pinnacle of study within the framework of his philosophy. It is necessary to define virtue, both how it was to be attained through education, and why this influenced the way an Aristotelian society would be structured. There is a need to scrutinise why he believed music, more so than art and literature, transcended barriers to contemplation. And while it is difficult to overlook the impracticalities in Aristotle's educative structure, there are aspects that are worth examining in his broader ambitions for a virtuous society. The aim of education is happiness, and to prepare good citizens to participate in a public life that facilitated cultured leisure. Aristotle insisted "we call that state best ordered in which the possibilities of happiness are greatest" (Book VIII, Chapter 2, p.428) and that the education of all men is to "become sound and good because of … nature, habit, and reason" (Book VIII, Chapter 2, p.429). Education facilitated moderation between the virtues: arational Vegitative and Apetitive, and rational Calculative and Contemplative. Staying healthy, avoiding bad influences and working only to subsistence ensured the most energy was allocated to cultured leisure, which was furthest from animal behaviour and therefore the highest pursuit (Goetz 2003). Aristotle viewed society as individuals en masse, and education promulgated the ideals of a virtuous constitution and universally-held aims so legislators could continue to foster a State that existed to facilitate a good life (Stalley 2099). Public schools encouraged equality (Curren 2010) and fulfilled the need to grow up under good laws. Judgment ensuring good self-governance then flowed onto running the State, as "man should be first ruled and later ruler … they both might become good men" (Aristotle, Book VIII, Chapter 2, p.433). The role of government was also to provide equal opportunities to rise to the highest virtues, and education enabled capable lawmakers without imposing that obligation upon them (Zuckert 2014). By Aristotle's measure, holding a public office was a conditional virtue, though "it is not unworthy of a free man to do something … on account of virtue" (Aristotle, Book VIII, Chapter 2, p.454). To attain happiness, citizens must be educated in its aims to continue legislating towards facilitating virtue for the greatest number....