Discussions on Windows Into the History and Philosophy of Education

Discussion Questions
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Chapter 3: Question 9: How did Aquinas dichotomize truth? Do you believe this dichotomy to be helpful? Why or why not?
Thomas Aquinas illustrated that truth is to be acquired through faith and reason. Being the only creature who can think, feel, and reason, human beings can achieve a state of truth (Smith, 2020). Therefore, Aquinas dichotomized truth through several lenses. First, he illustrated it as a world full of nature, seen and understood through reason and faith, a supernatural occurrence. He also dichotomized truth as a realm sub-divided into analytical and synthetic truths (Smith, 2020). Analytical truths are those which are self-evident and rely on intuition and logic. On the other hand, synthetic truths rely on empirical testing, not personal experiences. The truth achieved through faith is more supreme than that achieved through reason, even though when the two overlap, they trigger the same conclusions.
This dichotomy is helpful in understanding truth, human beings, and the world. The dichotomy allows human beings to apply sound judgment in their day-t0-day lives, bearing coherent comprehension of their roles and responsibilities on earth. Secondly, this dichotomy is helpful since it highlights the role of applying faith and reason to achieve and identify truth. Without faith and reason, man is not man. At its peak, truth requires human beings to believe and think without applying worldly judgment and understanding. During these moments, they will find their truth, which is their purpose. Analytical truths are easier to achieve and apply than synthetic truths since they rely on logic and intuition. Here, the truth lies within and only needs a little tickle to surface. Synthetic truths require rigorous empirical testing and experiments which require different angles of resources. Aquinas's dichotomy of truth is helpful since it helps human beings to comprehend what is required of them to attain their truths/purpose.
Chapter 7: Question 2: What circumstances hindered the ability of adult and child slaves to receive an academic education?
The enslaved people faced demeaning circumstances which significantly hindered their ability to receive academic education. One of these is that most enslaved people were tied to working in plantation environments where they served as domestic slaves. Only approximately five to ten percent of adult and child slaves got to evade the wanting state of poverty and suffer in the plantations (Smith, 2020). In these plantations, the slaves had a small plot of land designated as their quarters, where they lived in extreme poverty leading to the development of severe survival instincts among the slaves. For most of their lives, the slaves worked and lived in these plantations bearing harsh conditions such as poverty.
Secondly, these plantations had more male than female workers, which made it a challenge to establish solid family structures with a husband, wife, and children set up. Further, due to the harsh living conditions, babies born to these families often died, and infertility was common. Over time, there was a shortage of child slaves which prompted more slaves to be im...