Charles Sides and Ann Mrvica differentiates between five (5) very important Aristotelian concepts:
- techne - what people can do; a state of capacity to make; the rational method involved in producing an object or accomplishing a goal or objective
- episteme - a fixed set of information possessed by people; a system of understanding or a body of ideas which give shape to theoretical knowledge
- poiesis - means 'to make'; it is an action that transforms; it refers to 'bringing-forth'; a threshold occasion: a moment of ecstasis when something/s becomes another
- praxis - a practice (as distinguished from theory); application of skill; conduct in a public space considered as excellence
- phronesis - the capability to consider the mode of action in order to deliver change, especially to enhance the quality of life; some believe it includes the ability to reflect upon; it is practical wisdom, knowledge of the proper ends of life, in contrast to sophia - involving wisdom concerning universal truths; science
Sides and Mrvica believes that internships - as form of learning - are pursuing techne, poiesis and praxis (pp. v & 1-2). Through internships knowledge communities are sustained. When deliberating about evaluation of internship, they add the term phronesis (pp. 95-98).
I found this differentiation extremely valuable.
Sides CH. & Mrvica A. 2007. Internships, theory and practice. New York: Baywood.
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