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Home » Sitemap » Greek Philosophers » Aristotle

Aristotle

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and scientist who lived from 384 BCE to 322 BCE.

He was a student of Plato and went on to become one of the most influential thinkers in Western philosophy and intellectual thought.

Aristotle’s writings cover a wide range of subjects, including metaphysics, ethics, politics, and biology, and his ideas have had a lasting impact on fields such as logic, psychology, and natural science. Known for his emphasis on empirical observation and his systematic approach to philosophy, Aristotle’s work has continued to influence scholars and thinkers across disciplines for centuries.

Life of Aristotle

Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in Stagira, a city in northern Greece. His father, Nicomachus, was a physician to the king of Macedon, and Aristotle may have had early exposure to the Macedonian court. At the age of 17, Aristotle went to Athens to study at Plato’s Academy, where he remained for 20 years. Although he was deeply influenced by Plato, Aristotle eventually came to develop his own philosophical ideas and approach to inquiry.

After leaving the Academy, Aristotle traveled to the court of his friend and former student, Alexander the Great, who had become king of Macedon. There, Aristotle served as a tutor to the young prince and gained access to a wealth of resources and information that would inform his later work. In 335 BCE, Aristotle returned to Athens and founded his own school, the Lyceum, where he taught and conducted research for the next 12 years.

Throughout his life, Aristotle wrote extensively on a wide range of subjects, including metaphysics, ethics, politics, and biology. His work was marked by a systematic and empirical approach to inquiry, emphasizing observation and analysis of the natural world. Despite his significant contributions to philosophy and science, Aristotle’s life was not without controversy. He was accused of impiety and had to flee Athens for a time, and his ideas were sometimes criticized by other philosophers of the time. Nevertheless, his legacy as a philosopher, scientist, and thinker has had a profound impact on the development of Western thought and continues to be studied and debated today.

Fast Facts about Aristotle:

  • Only about 20% of Aristotle’s works have survived.
  • None of Aristotle’s complete finished works have survived. His surviving works consist of fragments of finished writings, manuscripts used in teaching, and lecture notes by him or his students.
  • After the death of his wife, Aristotle lived with a woman named Herpyllis, with whom he had a son named Nicomachus. Despite her inferior social status, Aristotle cared for Herpyllis deeply and provided for her generously in his will.
What did Aristotle do?

Aristotle was a philosopher and scientist who wrote extensively on a wide range of subjects, including metaphysics, ethics, politics, and biology.

Where did Aristotle live?

Aristotle was born in Stagira, a city in northern Greece, and spent much of his life in Athens and at the court of Alexander the Great in Macedon.

How did Aristotle influence subsequent philosophy and science?

Aristotle’s influence on subsequent philosophy and science has been immense, with his ideas and approach to inquiry shaping fields such as logic, psychology, biology, and natural science. His emphasis on empirical observation, systematic thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge through questioning and analysis has continued to influence scholars and thinkers for centuries.

How many works did Aristotle write?

Aristotle wrote an estimated 150 philosophical works, of which about 30 survive today.

Who were the teachers and students of Aristotle?

Aristotle’s teachers included Plato, and his students included Alexander the Great and several other prominent figures of the time.

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