Aristotle

Aristotle is perhaps the most well-known and influential philosopher in the Western tradition of thought. Born in 384 B.C. in northern Greece, Aristotle is considered the father of modern science and a pioneer of the scientific method. He is credited for shaping the way modern society views science, philosophy, metaphysics, and ethics. His works have been, and continue to be, highly influential in all three major branches of philosophy: politics, ethics, and metaphysics.

Aristotle was born in Stagira, Greece, in 384 BC. He was the son of the physician Nicomachus, the personal physician to King Amyntas II of Macedon. At the age of 17, Aristotle left Stagira and attended Plato’s Academy in Athens. It was there that he studied under the tutelage of Plato and Xenocrates, along with other students such as Aristippus and Xenophon. It is believed that Aristotle was so gifted and motivated that he memorized the entire contents of Plato’s book and even defended his teacher in his lectures.

At the age of 38, the Macedonian court hired Aristotle as a tutor for the crown prince, the future King Alexander III of Macedon. During his time in Macedon, Aristotle wrote multiple philosophical works, including his famous ethical treatise, the Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle later returned to Athens and established his own school, the Lyceum, in 335 B.C. Here he wrote several important works, including Physics, Metaphysics, De Anima, and Politics.

Aristotle placed emphasis on the importance of the study of the natural world and the need to observe and classify its data. While his work in the sciences was influential, his philosophy of knowledge asserted that the mind had natural tendencies that could be studied rationally and understood through their manifestation in the physical universe. This idea was a radical break from the beliefs of his predecessors, and was articulated by the highly influential concept of the four causes. He also believed in the power of contemplation and argued that true wisdom was only obtained through thought and reflection.

Aristotle proposed a new way of looking at the universe, asserting that the study of physical objects could be used to gain a greater understanding of the natural world. He looked beyond merely physical phenomena, focusing instead on the gradual development of complex behaviours and their underlying causes. He argued that organisms evolved through a process of natural selection, which he outlined in his works on biology, zoology, and physiology.

Aristotle’s investigations in politics and ethics made him one of the most important figures in philosophy. In his work, Ethics, he developed a system for evaluating moral action. He believed that moral decision making should evaluate the consequences of an action, not just its intrinsic worth. He suggested that the greatest good was in living according to virtue, and that happiness could only be achieved through this understanding. He further argued that government should promote justice and the overall good of its citizens, and outlined many principles of an ideal state, some of which are still employed today.

Aristotle’s influence extended beyond the realm of philosophy, becoming an essential influence in the development of the sciences and the arts. His works have been studied, debated, and admired by generations, and his legacy will live on for many centuries to come.