Both the state and federal governments and political leaders in the US are pressing for more Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and research, arguing that this is the only way of engineering economic growth. As a result, more funds are now being allocated by the state legislatures to scientific research studies rather than humanistic studies. It is certain that such a decision would be contrary to the views of scholar Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) This essay discusses what Aristotle would make of such a decision were he to live today, and which one, between humanistic studies and scientific research studies, he would accord higher importance.
Aristotle and Principles of Human Actions
Aristotle, a political and philosophical thinker of his time is considered to be the most accomplished scholar to have existed. His contributions to modern political theory, science and technology cannot be gainsaid. During the Renaissance period, he expressed his views on these matters but laid more emphasis on political science and humanistic social studies but also foresaw the contemporary technological progress and scientific advances. He identified certain virtues that define human beings such as logic, reason, and reality. It is believed that it is his philosophical thoughts and ideas on invented logic, reality and reason that have helped spur the flourishing and development of modern science and technology. Aristotle believed that man’s life and progress is influenced and defined by knowledge of the world which, combined with reason, enables humankind to explore the world around him from a philosophical and critical view point. He e emphasized on inductive reasoning as a means of understanding human actions and natural existence. He also believed that every person’s life has a purpose and therefore the purpose of man is to attain his life goals and plans. Being a scientist, Aristotle endorsed experience-based reasoning, realism and experience-based knowledge. He also made a sharp distinction between speculative and practical science and how these help in advancing human lives. He saw practical science as the study of relationships while practical science concerns itself with knowledge that helps man to control reality (Crisp 85). Aristotle also examined the relationship between individuals, societies and the state and argued that man should normally aim at living a proper, happy and successful life that would enable him or her to achieve their potential. He also invented the concept of human flourishing whereby he argued that happiness and the desire to progress should be main or highest aim of human beings in their endeavors. To him, every individual has a natural obligation to make, become or achieve self-interest through a pursuance of their goals and true ends of life. He thus to some extent considered ethics as a science, though not an exact one.
According to Crisp, Aristotle believed in the notion that ‘all human beings, by their nature, desire understanding’ (Vii). Aristotle thus sought an understanding of logic, mathematics, physics, and nature of reality, biology, literature, the mind, knowledge, anatomy, theology, human happiness and physiology. Among his many books, Book I discusses the role of luck and happiness in human life and his advancements. Here, he recognized that the events that happened during one’s life and the circumstances of their birth have a significant influence on their life. He also discussed in his later writings human virtues of friendliness, justice, wit, magnificence, temperance, courage and generosity. Most importantly, as Crisp (xxv) states, Aristotle was of the view that other things or principles that are behind human action include science, skill, intellect and wisdom. According to him, scientific knowledge enables man to grasp eternal and necessary things like mathematics while skill involves production and intellect being s non-demonstrable principle is related to practical wisdom and syllogism. Wisdom to him concerns philosophy or what is considered to be the most honorable thing that man can possess. As is evident in most of his books or treatises, Aristotle lay more emphasis on humanistic, physical and social sciences such as aesthetics, politics, ethics, economics, theology, rhetoric and psychology. He also studied mainly astronomy, geology, geography, anatomy, zoology and physics (Crisp 111). This inclination towards theoretical or philosophical studies or aspects of science shows that Aristotle was more of a social scientist rather than practical one. However, his contribution to science is well documented since it is his views on these aspects of science that lay foundation for modern technology and science studies. He is considered to be a great inspiration to the contemporary science education through his personal great attention to scientific knowledge though from a theoretical standpoint using reason. He was of the belief that the best way of understanding nature and science is through observation and knowledge, the latter of which was examinable. His dismissal of spontaneity and chance as the cause of scientific advancement is germane to what the modern day science and research holds.
In terms of scientific education or education on science, Aristotle discussed four causes of change in substance that he thought were significant if the desired outcomes were to be realized. The causes include forma cause, final cause, material cause and efficient cause. The current STEM education may be argued to be at variance with most of these causes that Aristotle believed to be the end aim or goal of every education system. For instance, the STEM education may not necessarily prepare one adequately for the job market without having a philosophical and critical thinking background that scholar like Aristotle had and wanted his students to have. Thus, the STEM education curricula should incorporate the study of other humanistic studies or subjects that would help students not only to be technologically competent, but also socially aware of what make up the society in which they exist. Humanities will help the students grasp the principles of skill, wisdom and reason that Aristotle talked about in his works. It will help the students learn and acquire the life skills that Aristotle discussed in his books.
Science versus Political Science
Aristotle believed that man is a political animal who need political studies in order to realize full potential in life and accomplish life goals (Aristotle 15). Further, given that Aristotle took a humanistic view of science as being governed by ethics, reason, knowledge and wisdom. He would thus oppose any decision that pays more attention to or presses for STEM and scientific research studies or education as opposed to social humanistic sciences. May be Aristotle would advocate for a blend of the two fields of studies by encouraging states and the federal government to allocate equal resources to both humanities and sciences. This is given the fact that he believed that there is a social aspect of science that requires one to possess philosophical and political qualities. However since Aristotle also believed in the power of the state to regulate human behavior and actions, he would to some limited extent also agree with the decision for the states to emphasize on STEM as a means of ensuring economic growth. Moreover, it is true that the historical and socio-economic circumstance under which Aristotle wrote are quite different from the contemporary world where science and technology have transformed human life and even education. They are now being considered as indispensable for a country’s economic growth and development as science and technology affect every aspect of human life and government state operations. Furthermore, while it is true that Aristotelian political science may have some relevance and influence in modern day government decisions on many matters of national importance, it may not overlook or substitute the significant place that STEM education holds in our today’s lives. Aristotle would therefore definitely accord ore significance or priority to humanistic studies and political science if he were to live today. This is mainly because of his arguments and position on the role of humanities and human qualities or principles on everyday life of individuals. Aristotle viewed science not as the ultimate means to the human ends, but as a manifestation of human experience and interaction with the world by use of knowledge and reason. This knowledge, he argued, was best acquired through the study of human sciences such as ethics, politics and theology. He believed that it was only by studying these subjects that human beings would be at a better position of living a happy and fulfilling life, or to achieve their dreams.
However, I don’t agree fully with Aristotle’s reasoning on science. His views on humanistic studies of science may have been relevant during his time given the circumstances of his time when philosophy and political studies were considered the only sources of human knowledge. Thus, given this disparity in terms of time, it is true that his stance on humanities or social sciences cannot hold water any more with the current advancements in science that require students to be knowledgeable about technological aspects that will enable them fit into the job market and be economic transformers in future. Currently, I would also support more funding being allocated towards scientific research since every aspect of the US economy, for example, is now dependent on technology and science that requires one to possess the relevant skills, knowledge and experience that cannot be acquired solely through the study of humanities. The complex nature of modern science and technology requires one to be educated on soft skills that impart them with the necessary scientific and technological skills and experience to advance in the technology-savvy world. Some of the human principles and qualities that Crisp discusses in his translated version of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics and other books such as courage, wisdom, generosity, happiness and honor are just too abstract to be in conformity with the dynamic nature of contemporary science that require constant research in order to unearth its potential. However, I would on the other hand agree with Aristotle on grounds that some knowledge of science requires one to possess reasoning, philosophical and critical thinking skills that would enable them to appreciate or understand life and the various complexities involved in scientific discoveries. This reason in Aristotle’s view is important in observing and critically questioning the potential of science and technology.
Works Cited
Aristotle. Politics. Web. 15 March. 2016. <https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/a8po/book5.html>
Crisp, Roger, ed. Aristotle: Nicomachean ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Web. 14 March. 2016. <http://www.morelightinmasonry.com/wp- content/uploads/2014/06/Aristotle-Nicomachean.Ethics.Apr_.2000.pdf>
