Aristotle Tolerance And Skepticism

Aristotle, distinguished by many as the most intelligent man to walk on this planet, has molded minds of many generations with his works and contributions. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and commonly known as the teacher of Alexander the Great, influenced the roots of education and the very concept of thought with his works on physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music and logic. An influential person influences not only a nation for a short time, but rather someone who could influence the world for many generations to come with their contribution. Aristotle, an influential person, fits this description in that he shaped the meaning of the term “education” and “thought.”Although some people may believe that Aristotle’s influence limits itself

This paper explores the characteristics of an educated person, by focusing on two basic traits knowledge and readiness. After reading the articles, An Educated Person by Eamon Burdick, What Does it Mean to Be an Educated Person Today by Marc Tucker, and excerpts from the book Philosophical, Ideological, and Theoretical Perspectives on Education by Gerald Gutek the characteristics of an educated person were compared, contrasted, and condensed to focus on the two most influential. This essay briefly discusses what education is, who should educate, and what traits an educated person should possess. The characteristics of an educated person that will be covered in this essay will be knowledge and readiness.

What does it mean to be well educated? To be well educated it is a balance between academics and practical knowledge. Throughout this paper I will show that one does not necessarily need a college degree to be deemed as well educated. I will explore both aspects of academics and practical knowledge and how it affects individuals.

America’s Constitution was built upon the fundamentals that all citizens are created equal and tolerate one another. However in the recent years this tolerance for others beliefs has diminished, sprouting censorship, and sensitivity to others with different beliefs. Michael Bloomberg former mayor of New York City (NYC) and Harvard graduate and philtronphist then Wendy Kaminer, an attorney, author and social critic argues that intolerance needs to stop. Additionally, they believe that citizens should become more accepting of others and willing to converse despite their differences. Bloomberg wrote in his commencement speech at Harvard’s graduation for the class of 2014 that, citizens of the U.S. should protect their freedom of speech and also to tolerate the beliefs of others. Likewise Kaminer argued in her essay A Civic Duty to Annoy published in “The Atlantic” that citizens have a responsibility to enter thought provoking discussions on important issues to build tolerance for different beliefs. Similarly both authors believe that Americans have to tolerate others beliefs to respect the First Amendment. Although, they present similar ideas Bloomberg’s is better at persuading citizens to tolerate others’ beliefs than Kaminer’s essay.

From the start of time, to present day, the only way to achieve almost anything this world is to have an education. But, who decides if you’re properly educated, and where does this education come from? What it means to be educated is perceived differently by everyone. To me, education focuses on the mind. But more specifically, factors and characteristics that shape one’s mind. To be educated means one should have the ability to think critically, show respect, and have a level head while obtaining some overall knowledge.

By the late eighteenth century, the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason as it was called had begun to rapidly spread across Europe. People began believing in the ideals of popular government, the centrality of economics to politics, secularism, and progress. This cultural movement was sparked by intellectuals and commonwealth thinkers such as the influential writer John Locke and the famous scientist Isaac Newton, both who emphasized the fact that man, by the use of reason, would be able to solve all of his problems-whether it be problems with the government, morals or the society. However, these ideals weren’t just limited to the European nations where they had first begun. On the other side of the world, off in the United States,

“Faith, Truth, and Tolerance in America,” is a speech by Edward M. Kennedy established through literary devices. As he spoke to the college through this dialog there was historical, political and social views but also historical political views and points in which the speech had progressed by expressing views of religion being an aspect in how the government were to rule. Though there is multiple literary devices that are used to create ethical, emotional, and logical appeal, although the majority is ethical, he brings historical factors of political views of past politicians of whether or not it should be an aspect or an influence in government, most of which were presidents at one time or another. Thus informing the audience of the support

Knowledgeable, educated, and wise have become descriptive characteristics that have become seemingly interchangeable in today’s society. However, what does it mean to be educated, wise or knowledgeable? In the article “The Educated Student: Global Citizen or Global Consumer” by Benjamin Barber, he says “…young people were exposed more and more to tutors other than teachers in their classrooms or even those who were in their churches, their synagogues-and today their mosques as well.” (417). It is suggested that the places where these characteristics are obtained have changed with industrialization and capitalism. “The Student and the University (from the Closing of the American Mind)” by Allen Bloom directly postulates from the vantage

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other; and the former will be objects to which the latter will attach themselves. The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate…” This means that one person cannot control the ideas and opinions of every citizen.

The history of America has long been viewed by its’s occupants as one of perseverance despite great odds. We take pride in fighting for democracy and promoting freedom around the world. But, at home these tenants of democracy, equal rights and freedom are all relative; to race, gender and class. The Bill of rights offers some insight into who we should be as a nation; while reminding us of who we have not yet become. America’s “id” has always been moderated by an “ego” cocktail of social, scientific and political activists. America is at its best when the differences between right and wrong are clearly defined by scholars, artists and scientists who can’t be ignored because of their expertise and ability to present evidence that cannot be refuted.

Another great influence on Education was the Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle who came later after Confucius, who was born in Stagira, Chalcidice. Aristotle was first a student in Plato’s philosophy school for around twenty years. Later on he was a philosophy teacher in Atarneus which is located in Asia Minor. Aristotle is known for his school named “Lyceum” which is located in Athens, and he is also known for teaching Alexander the Great who can later. According to Curren from his writings about “Aristotle on the Necessity of Public Education” and Burnet from his writings about “Aristotle on Education: Being Extracts From the Ethics and Politics found in the Encyclopedia , Aristotle deceased from the existing idea of childhood in Greek antiquity at that time, just like his teacher Plato. That philosophy was about children being educated as small adults, and so they were taught with adult literature considering their minds as able to absorb and task like those of the adults. According to Aristotle, the goal of education is to struggle to achieve the greatest goodness and happiness being a member in a city. Most of his philosophy about educating children could be found in the Nicomachean Ethics and Politics; and here he relates to politics as he considers human beings naturally to be political. That is in the social sense, as no one could become happy outside of a community. A person become an individual when he/she becomes an active

The United States of America is a relatively young nation and its conception was the beginning of something new, an experiment that continues on to the present day and will likely continue on for quite some time. In the last two hundred plus years the demographics of the nation evolved with it to become even more and more into what it is considered to be today, a nation of immigrants founded by immigrants. Regardless of the changing faces of the United States, one factor of American democracy that has not changed too much is the “political culture”, as argued by George C. Edwards. The American Creed, as identified by Seymour Martin Lipsett, is what holds this political culture together; the Creed is made up of the shared values of the

The article “The Poet of Our Dreams: The Real Meaning of Education,” written by David James, discusses the topic of attempting to define an educated person. Everyone has their own idea on what is meant by being educated, whether the term is connected to academics only or to everyday life skills. Despite everyone’s different opinions, the article states that a general agreement can be made on the importance of communication, problem-solving skills, the ability to learn, and the understanding of the society and culture in which one lives. Although the commonly surfacing argument in today’s school is what to teach and what not teach, as humans, each individual is given the right to define their own life. By each individual doing this, everyone

Gaus argues that a morally mature approach must be taken by political philosophers as well as citizens for public reason liberalism to become effective. I argue that Gaus does not address how difficult public reason liberalism would be to actually implement. Moreover he fails to address the causes of sectual thinking. I assert that Gaus’ argument for the reasonable rational individual has one major obstacle that is the vehement tenacity with which people hold onto their religious dogma.

The term ‘education’ can mean many things. An education is the collective knowledge a person has, but what does an education mean? Although an education can be paid for, no one can physically give you an education, so it is not a gift. There are societal situations where an education is a necessity, but not many globally. Education is a tool to be utilized differently in every part of the world. Knowledge is power, but some knowledge is more powerful depending on your region. If you are part a primitive tribe in New Guinea, a person that is considered to be educated may be illiterate. Whereas in America, an illiterate person would have trouble functioning at all in society. Education is a tool that is to be