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History and Evolution:
By William E. Steinman:
Part 24, Aristotle's Life:
September 1, 2003:
Aristotle was not an Athenian. He was born at Stageira in Thrace in 384 BC. His father was a physician and we can be sure he did at least some study in the healing arts. There is every reason to believe he would have become a physician himself but for his fathers death when he was seventeen. After that, he was sent by a relative to study with Plato at the Academy in Athens. He entered the academy in 367 BC where he was associated with Plato for the next 20 years until the master died. His philosophy for that time pretty much reflects Plato's philosophy. He did not break with the master while Plato lived. They were more than teacher and student. They were friends and Aristotle continued to exhibit great admiration for Plato.
The "authorities" tend to divide Aristotle's life into three parts. The first of these is his studies and association with Plato at the academy. Second would be his travels and his activities at Assus where he developed much of his own philosophy. Finally, we will get to his leadership of his own school at the Lyceum in Athens.
His personal philosophy developed gradually after Plato's death. He left the academy when Plato's nephew, took the helm. The story sometimes given is that he believed he should have been named to succeed Plato. That is unlikely since, as a resident alien, he was technically not eligible. It is more likely that some strong anti-Macedonian sentiments among Athenians influenced his departure. He was, after all, Macedonian and Phillip had sacked the Greek city-state of Olynthus.
Whatever the cause, with Xenocrates, another student of Plato, Aristotle traveled to the new town of Assus on the coast of Asia Minor. There at the request of Hermeias, tyrant of Assus, Aristotle founded a Platonic academy around 348 BC. At Assus he married the niece of Hermeias and had one child, a daughter. Three years later, he traveled to Mitylene in Lesbos where he created and lead a philosophical discussion group. It was in Lesbos that he turned his attention to the investigation of biology. He developed a theory that the organism has goals or ends but maintained that theory is subordinate to observation.
Around 343 BC, Aristotle went to Macedonia where he undertook a really important mission. At the invitation of king Philip, he began teaching Philip's son Alexander at Pella. Alexander was, later to become Alexander the Great. In 339 BC Aristotle returned for a time to his home in Stageria. The education of the prince, such as it was, was finished. Alexander ascended to the throne in 336 BC.
Aristotle held firmly to the notion that the Greeks were a superior people. By comparison, other peoples were barbarians and fit only for slavery. Like Plato, he strongly disapproved of intermingling or any familiarity with barbarian slaves. It seems this had little influence on Alexander who latter married a Persian and encouraged his troops to follow his lead.
In 335 Aristotle returned to Athens and founded his own school at the Lyceum. The Lyceum was a gymnasium at the temple of Apollo just outside Athens. This marks the third period of his life. The school was a university dedicate to scientific enquiry. With the help of a number of scholars Aristotle organized the school as a center for research and theoretical thought in all branches of science, but particularly in history and biology. This occupied twelve years of his life. It can be viewed as the culmination of a truly outstanding career.
Alexander died in 323 at which time the Athenians decided to blame Aristotle for everything Alexander had done to them. As was common with Athenians, a charge was trumped up to bring him to trial. Aristotle exercised discretion and left the City. He is alleged to have said of his departure, "Lest the Athenians should sin against philosophy for the second time." He was, of course, referring to the senseless murder of Socrates in 399 BC. He traveled to his deceased mother's estate in Calsus of Evolia where he remained until his death in 322 BC.
Aristotle was interested in everything including the sciences and the arts. With very little in the way of tools, he nonetheless investigated the physical sciences as they were then understood. He also gave his attention to psychology, political theory, and ethics. He pioneered the study of formal logic and created a complete system which is called Aristotelian syllogistic. All college sophomores are familiar with the concept of a syllogism and most spend some energy in getting silly with it. It is just a form of argument consisting of three propositions (two premises and a conclusion). The Aristotelian syllogistic logic has stood the test of time and for centuries was considered to be the essence of logic. Now it is considered to be just a small part of logic, but it is a part.
Aristotle's logic can be seen as the analysis of the forms of thought seeking scientific truths. These are not separate from external reality, but give knowledge of external reality. The conclusions of analysis must be verified in the real world, though there may not be exact agreement between the two. The real world is an imperfect reflection of what we conceive as the perfect form.
In zoology, he also lead the way being the first to apply both theory and observation to the field. His work lasted into the 19th century. To be sure, recent discoveries and work have passed him by, but he stands as a true giant of his time and stood so for a very long time. We cannot underestimate his importance to science.
As a philosopher Aristotle still looms large even in our modern
age. His work in ethics, political theory, metaphysics and in
the philosophy of science are still studied by current philosophers.
Particularly his work, "On Philosophy" stands out as
firmly establishing philosophy as a legitimate profession.
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