Training and Educating Children and Adolescents in Aristotle

The Greeks generally paid great attention to the training and education of children and adolescents. Yet, it is Socrates who is considered to be the initiator of theoretical discussions in this regard. Following him, Plato and Aristotle took some big steps forward concerning the philosophy of ethics and education and provided a number of useful views in this regard. Aristotle accepted some of the ethical-educational ideas of Plato and Socrates, while he criticized some others. Finally, he introduced a new approach based on his own philosophy. This paper intends to explain the theoretical bases of his educational theory and recommendations. Besides, by referring to the views of the commentators of Aristotle, it aims to pave the way for understanding his ethical-educational thoughts by clarifying some of the ambiguities in this regard.