Aristotle was a Greek philosopher in the 4Th Century. His theory was based on the world being a whole. Part of the theory was that all nature was a continuous cycle of lifeless matter. Some of these were Earth, water, fire, and air. He believed that humans were different from all other living things because they have the ability to think and reason.
Aristotle categorized all living things from lowest (worms) to highest; highest would be humans because they have the ability to reason unlike animals. The basic cycle of Aristotle's Chain of Being went from lowest which would be an animal such as a worm, then in between which would be something that shared the qualities of humans, and finally highest which would be humans.
Aristotle used the four causes regularly. The four causes were material, formal, efficient, and final. With the material cause, "that out of which a thing comes to be, and which persists" The statement of essence also known as the formal cause, dealt with "the account of what-it-is to-be, and the parts of the account." The efficient cause was "the primary source for change." And the basis for the final cause was "the end, that for the sake of which a thing is done."
An example of applying the causes to real life goes as such. A hand is made of flesh and bones. Having blood, veins, fingers, and fingernails makes this a hand. God makes a hand. Being able to grasp and hold things makes this a hand. The formula for attributing the four causes to things is what is it, what makes it what it is, who makes it, and why is it.
Aristotle's thoughts and beliefs still have an impact on Western education today. When learning about food cycles, we learn that the way of life is for the smaller airmail to be overcome by the bigger animal; this is just like Aristotle's Chain of Being. Those lowest on the spectrum us overcome by those that are in the middle, then the ones in the middle are overcome by those that are highest on the spectrum. We even see the Chain of Being happening in social classes.
When thinking of how Aristotle's four causes relates to Western Education. one can say that we still use the four causes when reasoning and rationalizing. When we have to come up with answers t questions or even theories for science projects, there is at least one or two parts of the four causes are being used.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Reflection 13
Plato believed in idealism. According to Plato, the world is just a copy of an ideal world. This means that things only exist because an idea of them exists in our minds. The first principle of idealism is absolute truth. Plato taught that there's truth in everything, and that one should hunt for truth because it is infallible and everlasting.
The second principle of idealism was developed because Plato did not believe in materialism. He felt that if the elenchus was used, it could help people become less materialistic. His third principle was developed because Plato felt that knowledge was not nature but nurture. Although, he believed that the soul is born with knowledge but when placed in a body, the knowledge is lost. This left the person a lifetime to search and recapture this knowledge.
Plato once said that if something could change forms then it was not real. This belief however is outdated. Science today proves that although something may change, it is still real. Plato also believed in immortality of the soul. He thought the soul was around long before birth and holds all the knowledge because of this, when we are born, the knowledge escapes the soul and we are lank a blank sheet of paper.
We know nothing and have to learn all the things we once knew in our souls all over again. He also believed that the soul cannot die; his theory was it is there before the human body and it will be there after the human body. According to Plato the human body dies, but the soul does not. Plato's argument was "death must come from life and life from death."
Plato has impacted modern Western education in many different areas. His sayings [quotes], beliefs, and dialects have been considered and even used in raising children today. Plato believed that children should not be raised by their parents but by society. In a way that is what we're doing today.
Today, teachers have taken the role that parents used to play in the lives of children back in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian times. Teachers basically raise children today if you look at in a metaphorical sense. Whereas parents spent the majority of the time with children, teachers now spend that time with children after age three. So in just one of his quotes, Plato has impacted western education in a major way.
The second principle of idealism was developed because Plato did not believe in materialism. He felt that if the elenchus was used, it could help people become less materialistic. His third principle was developed because Plato felt that knowledge was not nature but nurture. Although, he believed that the soul is born with knowledge but when placed in a body, the knowledge is lost. This left the person a lifetime to search and recapture this knowledge.
Plato once said that if something could change forms then it was not real. This belief however is outdated. Science today proves that although something may change, it is still real. Plato also believed in immortality of the soul. He thought the soul was around long before birth and holds all the knowledge because of this, when we are born, the knowledge escapes the soul and we are lank a blank sheet of paper.
We know nothing and have to learn all the things we once knew in our souls all over again. He also believed that the soul cannot die; his theory was it is there before the human body and it will be there after the human body. According to Plato the human body dies, but the soul does not. Plato's argument was "death must come from life and life from death."
Plato has impacted modern Western education in many different areas. His sayings [quotes], beliefs, and dialects have been considered and even used in raising children today. Plato believed that children should not be raised by their parents but by society. In a way that is what we're doing today.
Today, teachers have taken the role that parents used to play in the lives of children back in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian times. Teachers basically raise children today if you look at in a metaphorical sense. Whereas parents spent the majority of the time with children, teachers now spend that time with children after age three. So in just one of his quotes, Plato has impacted western education in a major way.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Reflection 12
The Soviet Sputnik was the world's first artificial satellite. It was about the size of a basketball, only about 183 pounds, and could circle the earth in 98 minutes. The launching of Sputnik is important because it led to many new developments. The Sputnik also led to changes in curriculum in schools. After the launching of the Sputnik, schools were blamed for the United States lagging behind in knowledge of space.
Since schools were being blamed, congress passed the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) and gave close to a billion dollars to fund programs in Science, modern languages, guidance, and math. After Sputnik, students were entered into challenging math and science courses and were also made to study a foreign language. After the Soviet launched Sputnik, the U.S became obsessed with the race for space; they refused to let the Soviets win this race. They became obsessed with educating scientists and engineers. This led them to winning the race towards the moon.
When Sputnik landed, the U.S government wanted their nation's schools to meet the same challenge as the Soviets. The National Defense Education Act (NDEA) of 1958 was passed for "the security of the nation" and to cultivate "the mental resources and technical skills of young men and women." The NDEA sponsored training programs for teachers, advocated a change in instruction and more enriching curriculum, they also granted scholarships and loans for the students that were in college for careers that would secure the nation's future.
The launching of Sputnik served as an eye-opener for the United States. It was as if the Soviet were sending the U.S a memo saying "Hey United States of America, we're going to beat you in the race of space, then in every other race we can think of." If the Sputnik had not happened, then the U.S probably would not having decided to take more interest in science and math, and if the U.S had not made math and science more important subjects, then perhaps we would not have been the first nation to land on the moon. So, the Sputnik was not only the first satellite, it was also a wakeup call to the U.S nation.
Since schools were being blamed, congress passed the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) and gave close to a billion dollars to fund programs in Science, modern languages, guidance, and math. After Sputnik, students were entered into challenging math and science courses and were also made to study a foreign language. After the Soviet launched Sputnik, the U.S became obsessed with the race for space; they refused to let the Soviets win this race. They became obsessed with educating scientists and engineers. This led them to winning the race towards the moon.
When Sputnik landed, the U.S government wanted their nation's schools to meet the same challenge as the Soviets. The National Defense Education Act (NDEA) of 1958 was passed for "the security of the nation" and to cultivate "the mental resources and technical skills of young men and women." The NDEA sponsored training programs for teachers, advocated a change in instruction and more enriching curriculum, they also granted scholarships and loans for the students that were in college for careers that would secure the nation's future.
The launching of Sputnik served as an eye-opener for the United States. It was as if the Soviet were sending the U.S a memo saying "Hey United States of America, we're going to beat you in the race of space, then in every other race we can think of." If the Sputnik had not happened, then the U.S probably would not having decided to take more interest in science and math, and if the U.S had not made math and science more important subjects, then perhaps we would not have been the first nation to land on the moon. So, the Sputnik was not only the first satellite, it was also a wakeup call to the U.S nation.
Reflection 11
I remember the first time I heard of Socrates, I was in my seventh grade Philosophy/World Religions class. What I remembered most from the lesson was the Socratic method-answering a question with a question and that he focused on the five cardinal virtues which were "piety, wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice." However, after reading about him again other things stood out.
The Socratic Method or elenchus as it is also called was the foundation for later Western philosophy. It involves definitions of questions of key moral concepts. An idea of how the elenchus was used was to first get someone to express a belief usually one dealing with the definition of moral concept, then he would get to say another belief usually one that talked about virtuous concepts and the perception of good, next Socrates would go on to show the person how his second beliefs refute his first beliefs, and finally, he would show the person the their beliefs does not match and therefore are wrong.
Socrates also believed in order to live a truly happy life; you had to live a virtuous one. Today we believe that superficial and materialistic things will make us happy. We want the nice cars, big house, lengthy wardrobe, fat bank accounts, and perfect bodies because we feel like they bring us closer to happiness. Socrates on the other hand believed that in order to be happy, you had to get the materialistic and superficial things out of your mind and just focus on your being pure. According to Socrates, as long as you led a pure and virtuous life, you would be happy.
When examining the life and influences of Socrates, you can see that his works have left an impact on Western education. Today, many students and teachers use Socrates way of thinking whether they notice it or not. Let's say a student blurts out a wrong answer in class, the teacher can easily tell the student the answer is wrong and move on to the next student, but instead of doing this, she decides to show the student why the answer is wrong. The teacher continues on by first asking the student the question, then the teacher asks the student another question similar to the subject, then the teacher shows the student how the answers do not match, and finally lets the student see that the answer is flawed and know the reasons why.
The Socratic Method or elenchus as it is also called was the foundation for later Western philosophy. It involves definitions of questions of key moral concepts. An idea of how the elenchus was used was to first get someone to express a belief usually one dealing with the definition of moral concept, then he would get to say another belief usually one that talked about virtuous concepts and the perception of good, next Socrates would go on to show the person how his second beliefs refute his first beliefs, and finally, he would show the person the their beliefs does not match and therefore are wrong.
Socrates also believed in order to live a truly happy life; you had to live a virtuous one. Today we believe that superficial and materialistic things will make us happy. We want the nice cars, big house, lengthy wardrobe, fat bank accounts, and perfect bodies because we feel like they bring us closer to happiness. Socrates on the other hand believed that in order to be happy, you had to get the materialistic and superficial things out of your mind and just focus on your being pure. According to Socrates, as long as you led a pure and virtuous life, you would be happy.
When examining the life and influences of Socrates, you can see that his works have left an impact on Western education. Today, many students and teachers use Socrates way of thinking whether they notice it or not. Let's say a student blurts out a wrong answer in class, the teacher can easily tell the student the answer is wrong and move on to the next student, but instead of doing this, she decides to show the student why the answer is wrong. The teacher continues on by first asking the student the question, then the teacher asks the student another question similar to the subject, then the teacher shows the student how the answers do not match, and finally lets the student see that the answer is flawed and know the reasons why.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Reflection 10
"The teacher is the gatekeeper."
According to the dictionary, a gatekeeper is a person in charge of a gate to supervise the traffic going through the gate. The dictionary also says that a gatekeeper is a monitor or guardian. So, in saying that the teacher is the gatekeeper, the teacher is being referred to as a guardian. The gate that the teachers guard is a metaphor for the minds of the students.
When a student starts school, their teacher is like a second parent or guardian. Teachers actually spend more time with students then parents actually do. This can be one reason why some students fall in love with their first teachers and may even wish their teachers were their parents. In saying this, it's obvious how much influence a teacher has on their students. Teachers are probably the first ones to open the gates of the world for their students.
This saying is most likely implying that the teacher guards or monitors the gate or mind of their students to try and filter out the negative things that are trying to enter and multiply the positive things. Let's say for instance there is a teacher at an inner city middle school.
Last year only 113 students graduated in a class of 15o and amongst that 113, only 27 were boys. It's a brand new school year now and there is a boy in this teachers class who has the potential to be something great and be a part of the graduating class, but he is easily influenced by the negativity in his neighborhood.
So, the teacher takes a special interest in this boy. She makes sure he does his homework and completes his class work in every class. She even tells him that her classroom door can always be a shelter for him if he needs to get away from the negativity of his surroundings. When June comes around, the little boy is a part of the graduating class.
All this because one teacher decided that he was worth saving and decided to act as a monitor by trying to only allow positive thoughts to enter his mind and being a refuge for him when the negative things would sneak up on him.
Being a teacher means more than completing lesson plans and following the states rules and regulations. Being a teacher means acting as a gatekeeper for all students because in doing so, you are making all the difference.
Reflection 9
In the article The First Schools, the Sumerian school flourished due to the invention of writing. The Sumerian school used the writing system called cuneiform; it consisted of thousands of pictographic tablets of clay. The clay tablets had economic and administrative memorandum on it. However, there was still several word lists that was intended for studying. That goes to show that even in 3000 B.C scribes was already thinking about teaching. The Sumerian school flourished during the last half of the third millennium.
From records that have been excavated, it is know that there was junior and high scribes, temple scribes, scribes that specialized in certain categories, and scribes that were leading government officials. The original goal of the Sumerian school was "first established for the purpose of training the scribes required to satisfy the economic and administrative demands of the land, primarily those of the temple and palace." The Sumerian school became the core of learning, culture, and creative writing.
Like the article The First Schools, in Ancient Egyptian Education, the students were also taught reading, music, and mathematics. The difference however was that in ancient Egypt, people learned mainly by watching their parents and they usually had to take up the profession of their parents.
In today's schools, students are put into three stages of mandatory education. The first is Elementary and this usually begins with grades K-5. After elementary, there is Middle or Junior High school. This is usually from grades 6-8. Then, there is High School or Senior High, the age range for this is usually grades 9-12. In each of these, there are required subjects and standardized tests the students must complete successfully in order to continue on to the next stage. These tests and standards vary by state.
In the state of Florida elementary school students are required to know how to read, write, and complete basic math problems in order to move on to middle school. They must also pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). In middle school, students are required to know basic algebra, take a Physical Education class, and Civics in the seventh grade. They must also pass the writing portion of the FCAT before they are able to move on to high school. In high school, students must take and pass health, four years English, three years of Math, two years of science and a foreign language, one year of P.E, and an economic and American government class. They must also pass the FCAT Math, Reading, and Science.
From records that have been excavated, it is know that there was junior and high scribes, temple scribes, scribes that specialized in certain categories, and scribes that were leading government officials. The original goal of the Sumerian school was "first established for the purpose of training the scribes required to satisfy the economic and administrative demands of the land, primarily those of the temple and palace." The Sumerian school became the core of learning, culture, and creative writing.
Like the article The First Schools, in Ancient Egyptian Education, the students were also taught reading, music, and mathematics. The difference however was that in ancient Egypt, people learned mainly by watching their parents and they usually had to take up the profession of their parents.
In today's schools, students are put into three stages of mandatory education. The first is Elementary and this usually begins with grades K-5. After elementary, there is Middle or Junior High school. This is usually from grades 6-8. Then, there is High School or Senior High, the age range for this is usually grades 9-12. In each of these, there are required subjects and standardized tests the students must complete successfully in order to continue on to the next stage. These tests and standards vary by state.
In the state of Florida elementary school students are required to know how to read, write, and complete basic math problems in order to move on to middle school. They must also pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). In middle school, students are required to know basic algebra, take a Physical Education class, and Civics in the seventh grade. They must also pass the writing portion of the FCAT before they are able to move on to high school. In high school, students must take and pass health, four years English, three years of Math, two years of science and a foreign language, one year of P.E, and an economic and American government class. They must also pass the FCAT Math, Reading, and Science.
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