The Aristotelian Intellectual Virtues and the Domains of Learning

Abstract

One of the ways towards achieving flourishing or fulfilment – eudaimonia – is through living the life that activates all the intellectual or rational faculties man. For Aristotle, this can majorly be achieved through education. This education must be a holistic one that ensures that one reaches his or her end both as an individual and as a member of the state. The essence of the intellectual virtues is to ensure that one develops or contributes to one’s development and the development of one’s society or state. This was why Aristotle outlined the intellectual virtues. The achievement of the intellectual virtues has to be in line with the objectives of the various domains of learning. There is need to train teachers and educators on how to hone and hole in these intellectual virtues into the objectives of the learning domains. This involves a special appreciation of the imports of the intellectual virtues and what they are expected to mould man into, from a comprehensive perspective. These intellectual virtues are analysed. Their nexus with the domains of learning exposed and linked and subsequently, how they are to be explored and exploited. It is pointed out here that Aristotle is the forerunner to the idea of the domains of learning. Lastly, indications of what they are expected to make out of man as consequences when properly applied in the process of teaching and learning are made. We should not look at them as merely from the speculative perspective in search for truth only or training of the mind. They are precursors to creativity and innovation. They are practical virtues.