Tips from Aristotle for College Students:- Imagine;
You are sitting in your college canteen and are debating whether artificial Intelligence will replace human creativity, and suddenly, a philosopher from your group drops a question,
👉 What even ‘is’ creativity? Someone suddenly just pulled an ‘Aristotle.’
Who is Aristotle?
The Greek philosopher, who was born in 384 BCE, was the type of learner who examined rather than merely accepted any solutions. He mentored Alexander the Great, studied under Plato, and established his own school, the Lyceum, where thinking was a regular practice rather than an impulse.
The philosophy of Aristotle was all about observing, reasoning and connecting dots before forming any kind of beliefs. Imagine applying the philosophy of Aristotle to college life, which includes assignments, friendships and even your career choices. This is where philosophy of Aristotle becomes a little more relevant than ever.
▶️Learn to Question Intelligently:-
One of the biggest lessons of Aristotle is that one should learn to question intelligently. In a world where college life is filled with information, peer pressure, various opinions and social feeds, the method of Aristotle, i.e., rational thinking, will help the students separate facts from misinformation. Given below are some important pointers that will help you understand the basic concepts that Aristotle teaches through this philosophy:-
These basic principles can also be summarised in a beautiful quote by Aristotle, which is:-
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
▶️The Golden Mean (Find Balance in Everything):-
The ‘Golden Mean,’ or the state of balance between opposites, is Aristotle’s most useful concept for college life. For instance, confidence is situated between pride and self-doubt, and courage is situated between recklessness and cowardice.
For college students, this principle is invaluable. Your college experience can be made or broken by striking a balance between working independently and teamwork, ambition and patience, and academics and enjoyment. Instead of going to extremes, overstudying or procrastinating, isolating or oversocialising, the Golden Mean tip from Aristotle's page encourages you to find a middle ground. This balance allows you to not only survive college but also thrive in it.
▶️Seek Purpose, Not Just Success
According to Aristotle, every activity is intended to achieve a ‘Final Good,’ something that gives life meaning and purpose. For college students, this tip can translate into a question, like
‘Why am I studying this subject?’ or ‘Why am I pursuing this goal?’
When you connect your educational pursuits to a certain purpose, like,
-
Curiosity
-
Self-growth
Success becomes more gratifying when these two purposes are connected. As a college student, you stop comparing yourself against others and begin concentrating on your own concept of happiness, or what Aristotle referred to as ‘Eudaimonia,’ which is defined as flourishing via virtue and purpose.
▶️Think Logically, Not Emotionally
Aristotle’s foundation of logic is known as Aristotelian Logic. It is a timeless lesson in decision-making. College presents students with difficulties, such as selecting good friends, career routes, or even moral issues. Thinking logically allows you to pause, examine and respond reasonably rather than reacting hastily. Before making a decision, Aristotle would tell you to gather data, examine outcomes, and make sure your choices are based on reason rather than emotion.
According to Aristotle, your Excellence is a habit rather than an act.
In college, every modest effort, like reading a bit more, asking one more question, or assisting a peer, shapes your mind. Seek ‘understanding’ rather than intelligence. The best of the minds do not memorise; they imagine.
Also, check:-
-
Which are the Central Universities with the Highest NIRF Rankings?
-
Which City is Known as the “Educational Hub of India” and Why?
-
Which are the two cities in India to have IIT, IIM and AIIMS together?
-
How Many Institutes of National Importance are there in India?
To stay updated on current trends, join the Jagran Josh Telegram community!
https://t.me/jagranjoshofficial