The Athenian model of physical education of a citizen in the philosophy of Aristotle

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PhD, Associate Professor L.V. Batalova1
Dr. Sc.Hist., Professor G.V. Merzlyakova1
PhD, Associate Professor I.V. Zhurbina1
PhD, Associate Professor S.A. Danshina1
1Udmurt State University, Izhevsk

Objective of the study was to examining the Athenian model of physical training in the perspective of cultivating courage as a civic virtue of a citizen and a warrior.
Methods and structure of the study. The scientific work is based on the method of philosophical hermeneutics, focused on the interpretation of the classical texts of Aristotle – «Politics», «Nicomachean ethics», «Great ethics», supplemented by commentary works on this issue – A.F. Losev, A.-I. Marru.
Results and conclusions. It is shown that the Athenian model of civic education, presented in the philosophy of Aristotle, reveals courage as a civic virtue. In the education system, it is gymnastics that promotes the development of courage, that is, it prepares young men to fulfill civic duties, one of which is the duty to be warriors/soldiers. At all stages of education (palestra, gymnasium, ephebia), gymnastics is one of the main elements of the education of young men. The education system combines the physical training of energetic and resilient bodies with the civic masculinity of a warrior.

Keywords: Athenian model of education, moderation, courage, palestra, gymnasium, ephebia.

References

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  2. Aristotel. Nikomakhova etika [Nicomachean ethics]. N.V. Braginskaya [transl.]. Aristotel. Etika. Moscow: AST: Astrel publ., 2011. pp. 39-279.
  3. Aristotel. Bolshaya etika [Great ethics]. T.A Miller [transl.]. Aristotel. Etika. Moscow: AST: Astrel publ., 2011. pp. 281-360.
  4. Aristotel. Politika [Politics]. S.A. Zhebelev [transl.]. Aristotel. Politika. Moscow: AST: Astrel publ., 2012. pp. 21-290.
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