Course-5 Understanding Disciplines and School Subjects pmd

b) Aristotle’s Classification
Aristotle divides the disciplines into three classes, each has different aim and each
requires special kinds of subject matter and special competence:
Theoretical: The aim of the theoretical is to know or to understand. Theoretical disciplines,
such as mathematics and the natural sciences require investigators who are able to reason
logically, to deal with abstractions, to build comprehensive theories; and the objects of
study must possess at least relative permanence and uniformity. Thus, it is that, say, physics
deals not with singular facts (particular events) but with general facts (invariant associations).
 Practical: The aim of practical is to do. In contrast to the theoretical discipline, the practical
disciplines are concerned with subject matter capable of change or alternation. Such subject
matters, for example, as human character and social institutions have the necessary
characteristics. The chief practical disciplines for Aristotle were ethics, politics, and
education. The practitioner obviously needs certain skills and abilities that differ from, or
go beyond those needed by one undertaking theoretical investigations.
Productive: The aim of the productive is to make or create. The productive disciplines,
such as engineering, fine arts, and applied arts, require material that is even more malleable
and skills that are more specialized and distinctive. Aristotle’s classification is still relevant.
Beyond a few traditional academic disciplines, the majority of disciplines in contemporary
institutions of higher learning are applied, dynamic, and relatively young- such as
management, information technology, interior design, or dental hygiene.
c) Biglin’s (1970) Classification of Academic Disciplines
In the early 1970s Anthony Biglin carried out a study to investigate the faculty’s
judgment about similarities and differences between several academic fields. These
perceptions were classified as
i. Pure vs applied
ii. Hard vs soft (or paradigmatic vs non-paradigmatic disciplines)
iii. Concerned with life systems vs those not concerned with life systems.