What is a Theoretical Approach - Coursework Example

? Theoretical approach Task Amongst the problems that arise about philosophy, the most exciting includes understanding the nature of philosophy. Philosophers are entangled in the problem of understanding the nature of philosophy by bringing all its concepts to a theoretical network that they can use to further their understanding of different concepts. However, even if the philosophical topic is a changeable topic that cannot be sufficed by the formation of theories that try to explain such broad and complex concepts, formation of a comprehensive and all inclusive theoretical framework can give us an explicit way to aid in tracing and identifying any territory of philosophy. This would further increase our understanding of philosophical concepts, which are purported to be beyond human understanding (Costa, 2002). A theoretical approach refers to an organized set of principles put forward by an interested party in the study of a topic of interest put bring forth their conceptualization of a matter of importance. This theoretical approach must follow a given methodological approach to put it in the required context to further understanding. A prescriptive theoretical approach aims at explaining what a concept under study should be. It outlines definitions in order to give concept under study meaning that can be used to further understanding. This approach is not concerned about past events but focuses on the future to guide an analysis. A descriptive theoretical approach aims at explaining what philosophy has been by looking at the past. It strives at exposing some of the conditions that a philosophical community has acknowledged for the identification of philosophy (Costa, 2002). Among the ancient philosophers who have existed, Aristotle was one f the most prominent of philosophers who championed the use of theories to explain phenomena that existed in the world. The theoretical approach entails looking at concepts, culture, and texts and interpreting them. Aristotle is a theorist because of his definitive way of looking and interpreting things, which influence human understanding in profound ways by bringing concepts previously considered unimaginable to the grasp of individuals. He reformed the perception and thinking in many fields including attitude, belief, social judgments, interpersonal compliance, cognitive processing and cognitive dissonance. Aristotle can indeed, be considered a theorist given the numerous contributions in philosophy through theories highlighted in his book, Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle contributed greatly in the explanation of concepts of human lives jointly with other theorists such as Plato (Ackrill, 1981). The theorist presented ideas on matters that pertains happiness sequentially to bring comprehension of the origin and other dynamics of happiness. According to Aristotle, happiness was reliant on individuals instead of other people around humans. Aristotle presented critical thinking concerning the pursuit of happiness in the world. Aristotle modified and incorporated observations concerning happiness thus presenting the intricate and reasonable theory concerning happiness. Aristotle utilized or presented intricate situation in his works as a theorist using skill and comprehension of concepts in order to develop ideas that were applied in formulating theories (Ackrill, 1981). The situation that Aristotle structured in order to come up with the theories in philosophy and other fields were meant to serve a clear purpose within the contexts of the structured theories. In various works presented in the book, Nicomachean Ethics, certain ideas or concepts offered by Aristotle were never immediately important although other relevant ideas got presented by other theorist in response to either add on or deduct irrelevant ideas. Aristotle developed ideas that he presented in his works, through stepwise methodology, to ensure that the problems that were presented go solved perfectly although it is not certain that the ideas were facts or fiction. Aristotle can be considered a theorist through the masterpiece that he presented in his book with the show of perfection in the things that were prevalent through rational schemes (Ackrill, 1981). He fitted ideas into the theories that he developed thus presenting perfectionism or mastery in his works. Aristotle works in theoretical development depicted an analytical approach rather than subjective or emotional thinking on the ideas such as happiness. He seemed to utilize information from different backgrounds and stitch them into logical ideas. Aristotle presented a broad view of ideas on various issues such as justice and offered substantiation in the form of examples that in the real sense seemed contradictory to the readers (Ackrill, 1981). However, these substantiations are believed to form an understanding of the overlying ideas that Aristotle wanted to present. Aristotle utilizes unusual yet logical paradigms in the development of theoretical approaches in an attempt, to explain concepts that transpire in human life. The theorist presents perfect explanation concerning these paradigms, in an attempt to bring a clear understanding of the theoretical approaches. The approaches generate critical thinking for the people utilizing them since they present unusual but logical perspectives. Theoretical approach entails looking at concepts, culture and texts and interpreting them. Aristotle is a theorist because of his definitive way of looking and interpreting things. Aristotle is one of the philosophers renowned for scholarly activity producing a wealth of persuasion concepts far surpassing many other classical rhetoricians (Aristotle & Lesley, 2009). He has revolutionized the perception and thinking in many fields including attitude, belief, social judgments, interpersonal compliance, cognitive processing and cognitive dissonance. The philosophy of Aristotle remains a beacon of culture. None of work of his work is more alive and compelling today than his contribution to ethics and political science. Political science, in his view, begins with ethics, and the primary task of ethics is to elucidate human flourishing. Aristotle brings to this topic a mind unsurpassed in the depth, keenness, and comprehensiveness of its probing. In the mid-twentieth century, he coined the empirical foundation which is the distinctive element of the persuasion approach (Aristotle & Lesley, 2009). Being a theorist means that knowledge is gleaned from observation and evidence rather than armchair philosophizing. Currently, researchers devise scientific theories, tease out hypotheses, and dream up ways of testing them in the real world. Aristotle and many other theorists did not take this approach. Aristotle is a theorist because his theories and views on various ideas such as idea of human flourishing, and to the perfectionism on which it rests, is that they both depend on a certain conception of human nature or make certain metaphysical assumptions about the function of human beings and their ends. Aristotle’s project in the early chapter of the Nicomachean ethics poses a formidable challenge. For a while, he appears to be working outside the perfectionist framework, he is unwilling to abandon one of the central features of theories of human flourishing and perfectionism – namely, the view that there is one end and that is the same for all (Aristotle & Lesley, 2009). Aristotle is working with a desire–satisfaction conception of the good he seems to advocate (a single identical end for all) cannot be assured. Such a unity of the good does not seem to follow from any rationality considerations alone that are consistent with some basic tenets of his ethical and political theories. Aristotle is considered to be a theorist because he was the first scholar who came up with divisions in philosophy. In regard to this, he divided philosophy into various classes taking into consideration various aspects. For instance, he came up with the following classes that are recognized today, philosophy of mind, ethics and politics, rhetoric, logic, metaphysics and natural philosophy. His efforts were directed towards examining fragments of works done by others. He used these academic treatises in his work. In fact, research has confirmed that some of these works were not polished. They were not published in forms that would be used in the modern setting of publication. He is believed to have done continuous revision on these treatises. Treatises have formed the basis of teaching in Lyceum where they cover a wide range of issues. They are always cast in questioning, dogmatic and argumentative matters. Some of these works survive as lecture notes, and little is known about their origin. This is in terms of style and manner of production and editing. In his classifications, he gave an account of various aspects that exist in today’s world. Some of these issues include Mortal Virtue, Justice, intellectual virtue, continence and incontinence (pleasure), friendship, pleasure and happiness. He is considered a theorist because he championed issues that regard to the above aspects. These aspects contribute to people’s eudaimonia. In exercising the above aspects, one is considered to be living the best life that a human being can have. Being the first person to give guidelines on various aspects on life of humans makes him a theorist. This is because his ideas have been regarded as theories of philosophy on which various practices are based. References Ackrill, J. L. (1981). Aristotle the Philosopher. New York, NY: Oxford University Press Aristotle & Lesley, B. (2009). the nicomachean ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Costa, C. F. (2002). The philosophical inquiry: Towards a global account. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. . Read More