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Year 7

Aristotle: applying worldviews

I can explain Aristotle’s views on the importance of observing the world and how this shapes worldviews today.

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New
New
Year 7

Aristotle: applying worldviews

I can explain Aristotle’s views on the importance of observing the world and how this shapes worldviews today.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Aristotle emphasised the importance of observation in understanding the world.
  2. Aristotle believed everything, including human life, has a purpose.
  3. Aristotle defined virtue as a mean between extremes, guiding moral behaviour and promoting balance in character.
  4. Aristotle's views on ethics demonstrate how different worldviews can shape everyday behaviour.

Keywords

  • Aristotle - an Ancient Greek philosopher remembered for his practical approach to knowledge

  • Telos - a Greek word meaning purpose or goal

  • Ethics - the study of right and wrong

  • Eudaimonia - the state of living well and flourishing

  • Virtue - a good quality that becomes a habit

Common misconception

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle had similar worldviews.

Although Aristotle was Plato's student, he had quite a different worldview and believed we can gain true knowledge by observing the world around us.

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a worldview?
Correct answer: A person's way of understanding, experiencing and responding to the world.
A person's opinion on an issue.
A scientific theory about the universe.
A collection of facts about history.
Q2.
What is the Greek term for 'love of wisdom'?
Correct Answer: philosophy, Philosophy
Q3.
What is the main goal of Socratic questioning?
To give definite answers to philosophical questions.
Correct answer: To challenge and examine beliefs.
To help others realise they already know the answers.
To teach people facts about the world.
Q4.
Plato proposed the theory of the ...
Correct Answer: forms, Forms
Q5.
What is a premise in a logical argument?
the conclusion being argued for
Correct answer: the statements of evidence that support the conclusion
the initial idea being supported
the final decision made after reasoning
Q6.
How did Plato build on Socrates' work of challenging worldviews?
by accepting all of Socrates' ideas
Correct answer: by developing his own theory to explain reality
by rejecting all traditional beliefs
by teaching that only the physical world matters

6 Questions

Q1.
Aristotle believed we can gain knowledge from the world.
Correct Answer: observing, Observing
Q2.
According to Aristotle, what is the purpose (telos) of an acorn?
to provide shade
to protect the soil
to feed animals
Correct answer: to grow into an oak tree
Q3.
According to Aristotle, what is the telos (purpose) of a human being?
wealth
pleasure
Correct answer: eudaimonia
fame
Q4.
What does eudaimonia mean?
happiness from enjoying the fun things in life
Correct answer: flourishing and achieving lasting fulfilment
living a life of wealth and success
avoiding pain and difficulties in life
Q5.
Aristotle described the balance between two extremes as the golden ...
Correct Answer: mean, Mean
Q6.
Match these virtues (good habits) with their vices of excess or deficiency (bad habits).
Correct Answer:courage,cowardice

cowardice

Correct Answer:generosity,greed

greed

Correct Answer:confidence,arrogance

arrogance

Correct Answer:patience,impatience

impatience

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