Aristotle

Aristotle[1†]

Aristotle (384–322 BCE) was an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath[1†]. His intellectual range was vast, covering most of the sciences and many of the arts, including biology, botany, chemistry, ethics, history, logic, metaphysics, rhetoric, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, physics, poetics, political theory, psychology, and zoology[2†][1†]. He was the founder of formal logic, devising for it a finished system that for centuries was regarded as the sum of the discipline[2†]. He pioneered the study of zoology, both observational and theoretical, in which some of his work remained unsurpassed until the 19th century[2†].

Aristotle was the author of a philosophical and scientific system that became the framework and vehicle for both Christian Scholasticism and medieval Islamic philosophy[2†]. Even after the intellectual revolutions of the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment, Aristotelian concepts remained embedded in Western thinking[2†]. His teachings and methods of inquiry have had a significant impact across the world, and remain a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion[1†].

Career Development and Achievements

Aristotle’s intellectual range was vast, covering most of the sciences and many of the arts, including biology, botany, chemistry, ethics, history, logic, metaphysics, rhetoric, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, physics, poetics, political theory, psychology, and zoology[3†][2†]. He was the author of a philosophical and scientific system that became the framework and vehicle for both Christian Scholasticism and medieval Islamic philosophy[3†]. Even after the intellectual revolutions of the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment, Aristotelian concepts remained embedded in Western thinking[3†].

Aristotle is widely regarded as the founder of Western philosophy. He studied under Plato and later became a teacher to Alexander the Great[3†]. Aristotle’s philosophical approach differed from his predecessors in that he focused on the empirical observation of the natural world and emphasized the importance of logic and reason in understanding reality.

Aristotle made significant contributions to the field of logic. He developed a system of formal logic based on deductive reasoning, known as syllogism. Syllogism consists of two premises and a conclusion, and it became the foundation for logical reasoning in subsequent centuries. Aristotle’s logical system provided a method for making valid arguments and played a crucial role in the development of scientific and philosophical reasoning.

His work titled “Metaphysics” is one of his most important and influential works. In this treatise, he delved into the study of ultimate reality, existence, and the fundamental principles of the universe. Aristotle explored concepts such as causality, substance, form, and potentiality, aiming to understand the nature of being and the underlying structure of reality. “Metaphysics” had a profound impact on subsequent philosophers and has remained a cornerstone of metaphysical inquiry, shaping the way we think about the nature of existence.

First Publication of His Main Works

Aristotle’s notable works include “Categories”, “Eudemian Ethics”, “History of Animals”, “Metaphysica”, “Nicomachean Ethics”, “Ode to Virtue”, “On Generation and Corruption”, “On Interpretation”, “On the Generation of Animals”, “On the Heavens”, “On the Parts of Animals”, “On the Soul”, “Organon”, “Physics”, “Poetics”, “Politics”, “Posterior Analytics”, “Prior Analytics”, “Protrepticus”, “Rhetoric”, “Sophistical Refutations”, and "Topics"[2†][1†][4†]. These works, collectively referred to as the Corpus Aristotelicum, represent the collection of Aristotle’s works that have survived from antiquity[4†].

Aristotle’s writings are divisible into two groups: the “exoteric” and the "esoteric"[4†]. The exoteric writings were intended for the general public and were probably written in the form of dialogues. The esoteric writings, on the other hand, were likely the lecture notes or drafts never intended for general readership[1†]. Despite this, they are the earliest complete philosophical treatises we still possess[1†].

Aristotle’s works have had a profound influence on the development of Western philosophy and science. His teachings and methods of inquiry have had a significant impact across the world, and remain a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion[1†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Aristotle’s work has had a profound influence on the development of Western philosophy and science. His teachings and methods of inquiry have had a significant impact across the world, and remain a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion[5†]. Aristotle’s intellectual range was vast, covering most of the sciences and many of the arts, including biology, botany, chemistry, ethics, history, logic, metaphysics, rhetoric, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, physics, poetics, political theory, psychology, and zoology[5†][6†][5†]. He was the author of a philosophical and scientific system that became the framework and vehicle for both Christian Scholasticism and medieval Islamic philosophy[5†][6†].

Aristotle is widely regarded as the founder of Western philosophy[5†][7†]. He studied under Plato and later became a teacher to Alexander the Great[5†][7†]. Aristotle’s philosophical approach differed from his predecessors in that he focused on the empirical observation of the natural world and emphasized the importance of logic and reason in understanding reality[5†][7†]. A prolific writer, lecturer, and polymath, Aristotle radically transformed most of the topics he investigated[5†].

In his lifetime, he wrote dialogues and as many as 200 treatises, of which only 31 survive[5†]. These works are in the form of lecture notes and draft manuscripts never intended for general readership[5†]. Despite this, they are the earliest complete philosophical treatises we still possess[5†]. As the father of western logic, Aristotle was the first to develop a formal system for reasoning[7†]. He observed that the deductive validity of any argument can be determined by its structure rather than its content[7†].

His work titled “Metaphysics” is one of his most important and influential works[7†]. In this treatise, he delved into the study of ultimate reality, existence, and the fundamental principles of the universe[7†]. Aristotle explored concepts such as causality, substance, form, and potentiality, aiming to understand the nature of being and the underlying structure of reality[7†]. “Metaphysics” had a profound impact on subsequent philosophers and has remained a cornerstone of metaphysical inquiry, shaping the way we think about the nature of existence[7†].

Personal Life

Aristotle was born in 384 BC in Stagira, Chalcidice, Greece[2†][8†][9†][10†]. His father, Nicomachus, served as court physician to King Amyntas III of Macedonia[2†][8†][9†][10†]. Both of his parents were members of traditional medical families[2†][9†]. His parents died while he was young, and he was likely raised at his family’s home in Stagira[2†][9†][10†].

When he turned 18, he moved to Athens to pursue his education at ‘Plato’s Academy.’[8†]. He left Athens somewhere in 348-347 BC, after spending almost 20 years in the city[8†]. The traditional stories say that he left Athens as he was displeased with the Academy’s direction when Plato’s nephew Speusippus took over the academy after Plato’s death[8†]. However, it is also said that he feared anti-Macedonian sentiments and could have left before the death of Plato[8†].

Thereafter, he moved to the court of his friend Hermias of Atarneus in Asia Minor along with his friend Xenocrates[8†]. He was married to Pythias, the niece of Hermias[8†]. They had a daughter, also named Pythias[2†][8†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Aristotle’s work has had a profound influence on the development of Western philosophy and science[2†][11†][12†][13†]. His teachings and methods of inquiry have had a significant impact across the world, and remain a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion[2†][11†][12†][13†]. Aristotle’s intellectual range was vast, covering most of the sciences and many of the arts, including biology, botany, chemistry, ethics, history, logic, metaphysics, rhetoric, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, physics, poetics, political theory, psychology, and zoology[2†][11†][12†][13†]. He was the author of a philosophical and scientific system that became the framework and vehicle for both Christian Scholasticism and medieval Islamic philosophy[2†][11†][12†][13†].

Even after the intellectual revolutions of the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment, Aristotelian concepts remained embedded in Western thinking[2†][11†][12†][13†]. His work changed the direction of Western learning and continues to play a very real part in modern studies[2†][13†]. Aristotle is widely regarded as the founder of Western philosophy[12†]. He studied under Plato and later became a teacher to Alexander the Great[2†][12†]. Aristotle’s philosophical approach differed from his predecessors in that he focused on the empirical observation of the natural world and emphasized the importance of logic and reason in understanding reality[2†][12†].

Aristotle’s work was wider-ranging and more original than that of any earlier philosopher, indeed of any philosopher of any time, but certain methodological assumptions and key ideas underlie a great deal of his thought[11†]. His work titled “Metaphysics” is one of his most important and influential works[12†]. In this treatise, he delved into the study of ultimate reality, existence, and the fundamental principles of the universe[12†]. Aristotle explored concepts such as causality, substance, form, and potentiality, aiming to understand the nature of being and the underlying structure of reality[12†]. “Metaphysics” had a profound impact on subsequent philosophers and has remained a cornerstone of metaphysical inquiry, shaping the way we think about the nature of existence[12†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Aristoteles[2†][1†]
• Born: 384 BCE, Stagira, Chalcidice, Greece[2†][1†]
• Died: 322 BCE, Chalcis, Euboea[2†][1†]
• Nationality: Greek[2†][1†]
• Occupation: Philosopher, Scientist[2†][1†]
• Notable Works: “Categories”, “Eudemian Ethics”, “History of Animals”, “Metaphysica”, “Nicomachean Ethics”, “Ode to Virtue”, “On Generation and Corruption”, “On Interpretation”, “On the Generation of Animals”, “On the Heavens”, “On the Parts of Animals”, “On the Soul”, “Organon”, “Physics”, “Poetics”, “Politics”, “Posterior Analytics”, “Prior Analytics”, “Protrepticus”, “Rhetoric”, “Sophistical Refutations”, "Topics"[2†][1†]

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Aristotle [website] - link
2. Britannica - Aristotle [website] - link
3. Have Fun With History - 10 Aristotle Accomplishments and Achievements [website] - link
4. Wikipedia (English) - Works of Aristotle [website] - link
5. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy and its Authors - Aristotle [website] - link
6. Dialogue: Canadian Philosophical Review / Revue canadienne de philosophie>Volume 29 Issue 1: Aristotle - Perception and Evaluation: Aristotle on the Moral Imagination [website] - link
7. Routledge - An Analysis of Aristotle's Metaphysics [website] - link
8. The Famous People - Aristotle Biography [website] - link
9. History - Aristotle - Philosophy & Life [website] - link
10. Encyclopedia of World Biography - Aristotle Biography [website] - link
11. Cambridge University Press - Aristotle: The Growth and Structure of his Thought - Conclusion - [website] - link
12. Mr. Dowling - Time and Space - Aristotle’s Conclusion [website] - link
13. SparkNotes - Aristotle Study Guide: Death and Legacy [website] - link