Aristotle about knowledge

In Book Six of the Ethics Aristotle says that all knowledge can be classified into three categories: theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge, and productive knowledge. Put simply, these kinds of knowledge are distinguished by their aims: theoretical knowledge aims at contemplation, productive knowledge aims at creation, and practical knowledge aims at action.

Theoretical knowledge involves the study of truth for its own sake; it is knowledge about things that are unchanging and eternal, and includes things like the principles of logic, physics, and mathematics (at the end of the Ethics Aristotle says that the most excellent human life is one lived in pursuit of this type of knowledge, because this knowledge brings us closest to the divine). The productive and practical sciences, in contrast, address our daily needs as human beings, and have to do with things that can and do change.

Productive knowledge means, roughly, know-how; the knowledge of how to make a table or a house or a pair of shoes or how to write a tragedy would be examples of this kind of knowledge. This entry is concerned with practical knowledge, which is the knowledge of how to live and act. According to Aristotle, it is the possession and use of practical knowledge that makes it possible to live a good life. Ethics and politics, which are the practical sciences, deal with human beings as moral agents.

Ethics is primarily about the actions of human beings as individuals, and politics is about the actions of human beings in communities, although it is important to remember that for Aristotle the two are closely linked and each influences the other.

Aquinas used to call him 'philosopher'..The master of those who knows.Nomemsoma sana Aristotle ktk kazi zako za Politics The mixed regime, Book ii -iv , ni vitabu visivyo virahisi ( huenda ndio sababu) Kama i, v na kuendelea....kuna sehem kagusia kuhusu slaves na pia kuna sehem alifikia hakutoa sababu za Msingi za ubovu wa aina za Regimes zaidi akatoa mifano ya utofauti....Ndio maana Hobbes alitokea kuwa kinyume nae

Andrew Nkumbi said:

Aquinas used to call him 'philosopher'..The master of those who knows.Nomemsoma sana Aristotle ktk kazi zako za Politics The mixed regime, Book ii -iv , ni vitabu visivyo virahisi ( huenda ndio sababu) Kama i, v na kuendelea....kuna sehem kagusia kuhusu slaves na pia kuna sehem alifikia hakutoa sababu za Msingi za ubovu wa aina za Regimes zaidi akatoa mifano ya utofauti....Ndio maana Hobbes alitokea kuwa kinyume nae

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Kuhusu utumwa watu hawakumwelewa vizuri kama ukimsoma vizuri utakubaliana nae kwamba kuna ukweli fulani ingawaje kwa kipindi tulichonacho kwa sasa ni vigumu sana ku apply.

Natamani sana vijana wengi na wanasiasa katika Taifa letu, wangepata kufaham zaidi kuhusu mambo Kama haya Nadhani jamii yetu ingefika pazuri sana

Andrew Nkumbi said:

Natamani sana vijana wengi na wanasiasa katika Taifa letu, wangepata kufaham zaidi kuhusu mambo Kama haya Nadhani jamii yetu ingefika pazuri sana

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Ni kweli kabisa ndugu yangu.

"Theoretical knowledge" is an oxymoron.

Strictly speaking, if it is a theory, it is not knowledge. If it knowledge, it is not a theory.

This type of shoddy reasoning on the part of Aristotle, and lofty unquestionable position he held for so long in western thought, is what led the world to take his teachings for granted and believing, just to take one example, that, minus air resistance, heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.

Until Galileo proved him wrong experimentally.

I am not surprised that Aristotle thought the contradiction in terms that is "theoretical knowledge" was a logically valid concept, he lived that with his over emphasis on theory and speculation.

I am surprised to see people quoting him, thousands of years later, without qualification.

Kiranga said:

"Theoretical knowledge" is an oxymoron.

Strictly speaking, if it is a theory, it is not knowledge. If it knowledge, it is not a theory.

This type of shoddy reasoning on the part of Aristotle, and lofty unquestionable position he held for so long in western thought, is what led the world to take his teachings for granted and believing, just to take one example, that, minus air resistance, heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.

Until Galileo proved him wrong experimentally.

I am not surprised that Aristotle thought the contradiction in terms that is "theoretical knowledge" was a logically valid concept, he lived that with his over emphasis on theory and speculation.

I am surprised to see people quoting him, thousands of years later, without qualification.

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Haya bana umeliona tu hilo la gravity..mengine yote mazuri hujaona hasa mchango wake katika western civilazation kwenye siasa na mifumo ya utawala...PLATO na Aristotle ni miongoni mwa philosophers ambao hawataachwa kutajwa kwa vizazi vingi. Hakuwa malaika anaweza kuwa alikosea hapa na pale lakini mawazo yake bado yana influence kubwa.

Shayu said:

Haya bana umeliona tu hilo la gravity..mengine yote mazuri hujaona hasa mchango wake katika western civilazation kwenye siasa na mifumo ya utawala...PLATO na Aristotle ni miongoni mwa philosophers ambao hawataachwa kutajwa kwa vizazi vingi. Hakuwa malaika anaweza kuwa alikosea hapa na pale lakini mawazo yake bado yana influence kubwa.

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Nani kasema sijayaona? Nimeshamsifia Aristotle kwamba alishagundua "Mpemba Effect" kabla hata Erasto Mpemba hajai re discover. You can't say I don't give props where props are due.

We don't improve by pointing out the good in a system, that which is good does not need improving. The healthy do not need a doctor, the sick do.


We improve by pointing out the fallacies, the contradictions, the shortcomings et cetera, et cetera.

I am not with the cult of personality bandwagon, I cherish ideas.

You are not doing Aristotle any favors by not being critical.

Kiranga said:

Nani kasema sijayaona? Nimeshamsifia Aristotle kwamba alishagundua "Mpemba Effect" kabla hata Erasto Mpemba hajai re discover. You can't say I don't give props where props are due.

We don't improve by pointing out the good in a system, that which is good does not need improving. The healthy do not need a doctor, the sick do.


We improve by pointing out the fallacies, the contradictions, the shortcomings et cetera, et cetera.

I am not with the cult of personality bandwagon, I cherish ideas.

You are not doing Aristotle any favors by not being critical.

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Haya bana nategemea siku moja utakuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe ili nawe dunia ikujue.

Shayu said:

Haya bana nategemea siku moja utakuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe ili nawe dunia ikujue.

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Unajuaje dunia hainijui?

Na nani "anakuja na mawazo yake mwenyewe"? Kuna mtu ambaye kaweza kufanya mambo kwa mawazo yake mwenyewe tu?

Hao kina Aristotle wenyewe walijifunza kwa kina Plato na Socrates.

Utaleta vipi habari za "mawazo yako mwenyewe" ?

For someone who puts such a high premium on "mawazo yako mwenyewe", hii copy paste uliyoplagiarize kutoka "Politics" nayo ni mawazo yako mwenyewe?

Kwa nini unataka wengine waje na mawazo yao wenyewe wakati wewe hata kuandika mawazo ya wengine kwa maneno yako umeshindwa, umetuletea copy paste hapa?

Kiranga said:

Unajuaje dunia hainijui?

Na nani "anakuja na mawazo yake mwenyewe"? Kuna mtu ambaye kaweza kufanya mambo kwa mawazo yake mwenyewe tu?

Hao kina Aristotle wenyewe walijifunza kwa kina Plato na Socrates.

Utaleta vipi habari za "mawazo yako mwenyewe" ?

For someone who puts such a high premium on "mawazo yako mwenyewe", hii copy paste uliyoplagiarize kutoka "Politics" nayo ni mawazo yako mwenyewe?

Kwa nini unataka wengine waje na mawazo yao wenyewe wakati wewe hata kuandika mawazo ya wengine kwa maneno yako umeshindwa, umetuletea copy paste hapa?

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Naona utakoka nje mada umesoma vizuri nimesema kabisa ni book six kutoka kitabu cha Nichomechian ethics cha Aristotle iweje uniambie nimeiba??

Shayu said:

Naona utakoka nje mada umesoma vizuri nimesema kabisa ni book six kutoka kitabu cha Nichomechian ethics cha Aristotle iweje uniambie nimeiba??

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Wewe umeongelea habari ya "kuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe". Mimi nina ku expose wewe kama a hypocrite plagiarist ambaye ume copy paste vitu na kuleta hapa, how is that "kutoka nje ya mada"?

Mimi naenda deeper pale ulipogusia juu juu tu kuhusu "kuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe". Bora hata mimi nimeandika vitu kwa maneno yangu.

Umeandika "nimesema kabisa ni book six kutoka ..."

Hayo maneno "In Book Six of the Ethics Aristotle says that all knowledge can be classified into three categories: theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge, and productive knowledge..." umeyaandika wewe au ume copy paste?

So much for "kuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe".

If you live in a glasshouse, don't throw stones.

Shayu said:

Haya bana nategemea siku moja utakuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe ili nawe dunia ikujue.

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Hivi kwanini watu mnafanya baadhi ya figures kuwa untouchable na sacred cows?
Yaani Aristotle kuoneshwa udhaifu wake,tayari mkuu umekuwa offended,serious??

Kiranga said:

Wewe umeongelea habari ya "kuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe". Mimi nina ku expose wewe kama a hypocrite plagiarist ambaye ume copy paste vitu na kuleta hapa, how is that "kutoka nje ya mada"?

Mimi naenda deeper pale ulipogusia juu juu tu kuhusu "kuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe". Bora hata mimi nimeandika vitu kwa maneno yangu.
Umeandika "nimesema kabisa ni book six kutoka ..."

Hayo maneno "In Book Six of the Ethics Aristotle says that all knowledge can be classified into three categories: theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge, and productive knowledge..." umeyaandika wewe au ume copy paste?

So much for "kuja na mawazo yako mwenyewe".

If you live in a glasshouse, don't throw stones.

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Mimi nimesema wazi sio maneno yangu ila wewe unaponda hata ukweli uliodhahiri juu ya mada iliyo hapo ni nini hakiko sahihi?? Hivi kwenye theory of relativity ya Einsten ni nini? si ilianza theory tu wengine wakaja ku prove ukweli wake? kwahiyo unataka kuondoa umuhimu wa theory? ni kwanini iko kwenye science? hivi vitu vinategemeana theory na practics.

Shayu said:

Mimi nimesema wazi sio maneno yangu ila wewe unaponda hata ukweli uliodhahiri juu ya mada iliyo hapo ni nini hakiko sahihi?? Hivi kwenye theory of relativity ya Einsten ni nini? si ilianza theory tu wengine wakaja ku prove ukweli wake? kwahiyo unataka kuondoa umuhimu wa theory? ni kwanini iko kwenye science? hivi vitu vinategemeana theory na practics.

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Wewe unayeleta maneno yasiyo yako unapata wapi moral authority ya kunitaka mimi kuja na mawazo yangu mwenyewe?

Mbona unatuletea double standards hapa?

Kwako wewe iwe sawa kuja na maneno ya watu, kwangu mimi unitake nije na maneno yangu.

Hapo Mwinamila angekuuliza, sawa hiyo?

Haaaaata.

Hiyo si sawa we Shayu, wacha vituko.

I am still pondering how theory can not be knowledge and knowledge can not be theory and how true to say that the the pursuit of the so called "theoretical knowledge"is the excellent way of living, an assistance if you dont mind.

Kiranga said:

"Theoretical knowledge" is an oxymoron.

Strictly speaking, if it is a theory, it is not knowledge. If it knowledge, it is not a theory.

This type of shoddy reasoning on the part of Aristotle, and lofty unquestionable position he held for so long in western thought, is what led the world to take his teachings for granted and believing, just to take one example, that, minus air resistance, heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.

Until Galileo proved him wrong experimentally.

I am not surprised that Aristotle thought the contradiction in terms that is "theoretical knowledge" was a logically valid concept, he lived that with his over emphasis on theory and speculation.

I am surprised to see people quoting him, thousands of years later, without qualification.

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Mjuni Lwambo said:

I am still pondering how theory can not be knowledge and knowledge can not be theory and how true to say that the the pursuit of the so called "theoretical knowledge"is the excellent way of living, an assistance if you dont mind.

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Knowledge, etimologycally, stems from "know". It is about things that are known.

Theory, strictly speaking, is not about things that are known, but abstracts in thoughts, sometimes within a pretty good framework grounded in reason and possibly converging towards knowledge.

Thus, if I say "my theory is that Putin is calculating towards annexing the eastern half of Ukraine into Russia" what I mean is I do not have this knowledge, but I think that is the case.

Kiranga said:

Wewe unayeleta maneno yasiyo yako unapata wapi moral authority ya kunitaka mimi kuja na mawazo yangu mwenyewe?

Mbona unatuletea double standards hapa?

Kwako wewe iwe sawa kuja na maneno ya watu, kwangu mimi unitake nije na maneno yangu.

Hapo Mwinamila angekuuliza, sawa hiyo?

Haaaaata.

Hiyo si sawa we Shayu, wacha vituko.

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Ha ha ha!
Umenikumbusha mbali Kiranga..
Dereva kagonga mutu... Haaa!
Sawa hiyoo..
Haha..
Samahanini kwa kuchakachua kwenye GT

Kiranga said:

Knowlede, etimologycally, stems from "know". It is about things that are known.

Theory, strictly speaking, is not about things that are known, but abstract in thoughts, sometimes within a pretty good framework grounded in reason and possibly converging towards knowledge.

Thus, if I say "my theory is that Putin is calculating towards annexing the eastern half of Ukraine into Russia" what I mean is I do not have this knowledge, but I think that is the case.

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But still theory is a good starting point towards full knowledge,its importance,in Science,for example,can not be ignored..

Thanks for the assistance, how about the statement that "theoretical knowledge" is the best type?

Kiranga said:

Knowlede, etimologycally, stems from "know". It is about things that are known.

Theory, strictly speaking, is not about things that are known, but abstract in thoughts, sometimes within a pretty good framework grounded in reason and possibly converging towards knowledge.

Thus, if I say "my theory is that Putin is calculating towards annexing the eastern half of Ukraine into Russia" what I mean is I do not have this knowledge, but I think that is the case.

Click to expand...