Book 6 / Chapter 8
Paragraph 4 - The Role of Experience in Acquiring Wisdom and Knowledge
Explanation - Part By Part
"What has been said is confirmed by the fact that while young men become geometricians and mathematicians and wise in matters like these, it is thought that a young man of practical wisdom cannot be found."
Aristotle is saying that while young people can excel in fields like geometry or mathematics, which involve abstract reasoning and logic, it's unusual to find a young person who possesses practical wisdom (phronesis). Practical wisdom involves making good decisions in everyday life, and Aristotle points out that this cannot be achieved through sheer intellect alone. Instead, it requires life experience—something younger individuals naturally lack.
"The cause is that such wisdom is concerned not only with universals but with particulars, which become familiar from experience, but a young man has no experience, for it is length of time that gives experience;"
Aristotle is pointing out that practical wisdom—what we might today call "real-world savvy" or the ability to make good judgments in specific situations—requires not just knowledge of general principles (universals) but also an understanding of the particulars of life. These particulars aren't something you can just read about or learn from a lecture; they come from lived experience. In other words, wisdom about the real world takes time, because it's rooted in actions, choices, and the lessons you gather over a long period. Since young people haven't lived long enough to accumulate this experience, they usually lack the depth of practical wisdom.
"indeed one might ask this question too, why a boy may become a mathematician, but not a philosopher or a physicist."
Aristotle is pointing out an interesting distinction: why can a boy, someone young, excel in mathematics but not in disciplines like philosophy or physics? His reasoning ties back to the nature of these fields. Mathematics, according to Aristotle, deals with abstract concepts—things that are not necessarily tied to real-world experience. Because of this, a young person who is sharp and quick at reasoning can grasp mathematical ideas without the need for extensive life experience.
On the other hand, fields like philosophy or physics (understood in Aristotle's time as the study of the natural world) require practical wisdom, judgment, and an understanding of real-life principles, which only come with time and experience. These subjects aren’t just about using the right terms or logic but require a deeper connection to lived reality, something that youth does not yet fully possess. In short, the young lack the foundation of experience needed for philosophy or physics, but they can still thrive in disciplines that require pure abstraction, like math.
"It is because the objects of mathematics exist by abstraction, while the first principles of these other subjects come from experience, and because young men have no conviction about the latter but merely use the proper language, while the essence of mathematical objects is plain enough to them?"
Aristotle is discussing why young people can become skilled in fields like mathematics but often struggle with deeper subjects like philosophy or practical wisdom. Mathematics deals with abstract concepts that don’t require personal experience or a deep engagement with the practical world. For instance, solving an equation or understanding geometric shapes is a mental exercise removed from real-world complexities.
On the other hand, subjects like philosophy, physics, or practical wisdom require experience and an understanding of the particulars—real-life situations or principles rooted in the world around us. Young people lack this experience because they haven’t had enough time to observe, reflect, and deeply engage with life’s complexities. Aristotle also points out that young people may learn the technical language of philosophy or related subjects, but they don't yet have the deeper conviction or understanding that comes from lived experience.