Book 1 / Chapter 3

Paragraph 2 - The Importance of Experience and Temperament in Judgment

Explanation - Part By Part

Part 1
Original Text:

"Now each man judges well the things he knows, and of these he is a good judge. And so the man who has been educated in a subject is a good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an all-round education is a good judge in general."

This part emphasizes that people are best at making judgments about things they understand well. If someone has been trained or educated in a specific field, they are better equipped to assess matters within that field. Similarly, someone with a broad and well-rounded education can generally make better-informed judgments across a variety of topics. The key idea is that knowledge and experience are foundational for good judgment—specialized knowledge sharpens focus in specific areas, while broader learning cultivates overall good judgment.

Part 2
Original Text:

"Hence a young man is not a proper hearer of lectures on political science; for he is inexperienced in the actions that occur in life, but its discussions start from these and are about these; and, further, since he tends to follow his passions, his study will be vain and unprofitable, because the end aimed at is not knowledge but action."

Aristotle is emphasizing that studying political science—or any discipline that deals with life decisions and ethical actions—is not just about acquiring abstract knowledge, but about being able to apply it effectively in real-life situations. He argues that young people, due to their lack of life experience, are not the ideal audience for such subjects. This is because political science draws heavily from the realities of human actions and behavior, which young people haven’t yet encountered enough to fully understand or evaluate. Furthermore, young people are often driven by their emotions and impulses rather than rational thought, making it difficult for them to focus on the practical, action-oriented goals of this field. For Aristotle, the aim is practicing wisdom, not just knowing about it in theory.

Part 3
Original Text:

"And it makes no difference whether he is young in years or youthful in character; the defect does not depend on time, but on his living, and pursuing each successive object, as passion directs."

This part emphasizes that the issue isn't strictly about someone's age but rather about their state of character and how they live their life. It’s not about how young or old someone is, but whether they are driven by fleeting passions and impulses instead of thoughtful, rational principles. Aristotle is pointing out that a person who simply chases after whatever their emotions desire at the moment—without reflection or self-control—will struggle to benefit from the study of topics like ethics or political science. These subjects require someone who is grounded, thoughtful, and capable of prioritizing reason over impulsive behavior in order to truly grasp and apply their lessons.

Part 4
Original Text:

"For to such persons, as to the incontinent, knowledge brings no profit; but to those who desire and act in accordance with a rational principle knowledge about such matters will be of great benefit."

Aristotle is emphasizing the idea that knowledge alone isn’t inherently beneficial—it depends on the mindset and behavior of the person who acquires it. If someone lacks self-control (the incontinent, or those driven by impulsive passions), knowledge doesn’t really help them because they fail to apply it appropriately. However, for someone who genuinely desires to live thoughtfully and acts based on rational principles, knowledge becomes deeply valuable. In other words, knowledge isn’t just about collecting facts; it’s about using what you know in a wise and practical way to guide your actions toward a good and virtuous life.

Part 5
Original Text:

"These remarks about the student, the sort of treatment to be expected, and the purpose of the inquiry, may be taken as our preface."

Aristotle is wrapping up his introductory thoughts with a kind of summary. He’s saying that everything he has just discussed—the type of person best suited to study ethics and political science (someone experienced and rational, not just driven by emotions or instincts), the level of precision we can expect in these discussions (rough, not overly exact), and the ultimate purpose of the study (to guide action, not just gain knowledge)—serves as an introduction or foundation for what’s to come in the rest of the work. This is his way of setting the stage and clarifying how we should approach the subject matter.