ARISTOTLE (384 - 322?)

A student of Plato who was a "critical consumer" of Plato's philosophy and
educational views.

He read Isocrates' writings and produced a philosophy that combined elements of the
philosophies of both Plato and Isocrates.

Metaphysics

Aristotle broke down Plato's dualism and replaced it with a hierarchy.
Both things and ideas are real, but ideas are better. Actually all things are a
combination of matter and idea. For example: A chair may be wood, but it is more
than just a block of wood. It is wood shaped by an idea. By looking at the chair we
can know something of the concept which gives it meaning. The physical chair is
real, but the concept which gives it meaning is higher in the form/matter
hierarchy.

Epistemology

Since both ideas and things are real, knowledge can be attained by both reason and
sense experience - actually reason applied to sense experience. Science and
philosophy are both legitimate ways of knowing, but philosophy is superior.

He accepts the idea of universal, knowable Truth.

Axiology

Philosophically an absolutist. Certain values, like rationality, apply universally.

In day to day decision making, his "Golden Mean" concept seems relativistic.

Important concepts include intrinsic and extrinsic values.

Human Nature

Human beings are qualitatively distinct creatures, distinguished by their ability to
reason.

Aims of Education

Pursue Truth (both metaphysical and empirical)
Build Character
Transmit Truth
Develop the Mind

Curriculum

Considers "education" to be the study of those things that are intrinsically worth
knowing. These mainly include the abstract, intellectual subjects of Plato and the
natural sciences. The study of those things that are merely useful (extrinsic) is not
education. It is "training." Training is inferior to education and should occur outside
the school.

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