1. On three kinds of souls and three kinds of education. Aristotle constructed his soul theory based on his philosophy. He believes that people have three kinds of souls: rational soul, irrational soul and vegetative soul. The soul of reason is mainly manifested in thinking, understanding and judgment. It is the rational part of the soul, also known as the rational soul, and is the highest soul. Irrational soul is mainly manifested in instinct, emotion, desire and so on. It is the animal part of the soul, also known as the animal soul. The plant soul is mainly embodied in the physiological aspects of organism growth, nutrition and development, and is the plant part of the soul. Animal soul is intermediate, and plant soul is the lowest. Low-level souls contain more substances and less forms; Higher souls contain less matter and more forms. Everyone has these three kinds of souls, which are plant soul, animal soul and rational soul in turn from birth to adulthood. That is, before and after birth, children mainly develop physically. When I was older, I showed instinctive and emotional needs, and when I was an adult, I had the ability to think, understand and judge. In education, Aristotle divides education into three parts according to his soul theory: physical education, moral education and intellectual education. Among them, physical education is the foundation and intellectual education is the ultimate goal. In his view, in order to make the human soul develop healthily and perfectly, it is necessary to give very appropriate education and training at different stages.

The literary scrolls in the library of Alexandria

2. About the age stage of children. Aristotle not only clearly put forward the division of physical education, moral education and intellectual education, but also put forward the idea of dividing education stages by age according to the characteristics of children's physical and mental development. He divided a person's education into seven years. 0-7 years old as the first stage, mainly physical training; 7- 14 years old is the second stage, mainly moral education; 14-21year-old is the third stage, focusing on rational cultivation. 0-7 years old, parents should pay special attention to the upbringing of young children and eat the food with the most milk. Before the age of five, children's activities were mainly games. They should protect their limbs, make them grow up healthily, stand proper exercise and do more outdoor activities. Also tell some healthy and beneficial stories to children. At the age of 7, children should receive special and systematic education in state-run schools until 14 years old. This period is mainly to cultivate children's moral feelings and should be given harmonious education. The main contents are: physical exercise, music and moral cultivation. The teaching of reading, writing and arithmetic is not mentioned here, not because Aristotle didn't pay attention to it, but according to the practice of Athens education, these contents were included in music education. Sports in this period did not aim at competition, but served the healthy development of people. He learned the lesson that Sparta's physical training was too strict-the students were barbaric and vulgar. He believes that children should master the necessary military and sports skills, but don't strive for perfection in this respect. This is consistent with the educational fashion in Athens.

Aristotle's Class Diagram Described by Arabs

3. On music and elegant education. Aristotle attached great importance to music education. Music education is the core of its harmonious development education and the main content of its emotional education stage. He believes that music is an effective means of aesthetic education, which contributes to the development of intelligence and is an indispensable part of moral education. Music itself can cultivate people's good character, and people of any age should learn music. Music is not utilitarian, but gives people beautiful enjoyment and moral edification. Aristotle advocated "moderate education". He divided the subjects into practical and elegant. Practical subjects serve real life and are utilitarian but not noble. The subject of elegance is not utilitarian, but devoted to leisure and enjoyment, which is noble. Aristotle attached importance to the latter. Music is a free and noble subject, which can entertain people's minds, cultivate people's temperament and contribute to the cultivation of rationality. In addition to moral education through music, there are also special moral training.

Aristotle advocates cultivating students' moral quality of moderation through practical activities and repeated exercises. Such as justice, temperance and courage. He believes that there are three factors in the formation of morality: nature, habit and rationality. Among them, the cultivation of habits plays a key role. Therefore, it is indispensable to cultivate moral habits and activities to form good quality. 14-21year-old is mainly to cultivate young people's rational souls. Meditation is the main activity in this education stage, because the characteristics of human rational soul are thinking, understanding and judgment, which must be based on adequate meditation. People can understand the happiness and true meaning of life through constant meditation in their leisure time.

This section outlines

Throughout Plato and Aristotle's educational thoughts, we can see the great inheritance of educational thoughts. Aristotle constructed his own theory based on Plato's philosophy and educational theory. Essentially, they have a lot in common. Aristotle's soul trinity, three different stages of education and the ultimate goal of education, Plato's soul theory and the education system of the king of philosophy.

Both of them have essential similarities, and ultimately both regard goodness or reason as the highest realm of education.