The Philosopher, Aristotle

The Philosopher, Aristotle

The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle was an amazing individual who

possessed a multitude of talents ranging from mastery of rhetoric to interest

in physiology. Aristotle lived during the fourth century B.C. in ancient Greece.

The culture of the Greeks during this time differs greatly from our present day

life and times. Aristotle came into contact with many great men of history,

from Plato his instructor and mentor to Alexander the Great, conquerer and ruler

of the east. The works of Aristotle have left many after him to contemplate his

theories and attitudes toward life and his Realism movement.

The time in which Aristotle lived was one where to be heard one had to

possess a loud voice and master the art of persuasion, or rhetoric. This was the

case throughout Greece, specifically in Athens, where Aristotle spent the major

part of his life. The law in Athens came from a group of about five thousand

men who were the land holders in the city. In this group an individual must be

heard in order to defend himself and others in need. This was accomplished by

those trained in rhetoric. Therefore those who taught this art stood to obtain

a lot of wealth from their endeavors. These were known as sophists with whom

much contempt was held by such philosophers as Socrates. "The greatest school

of Rhetoric in all Greece was at this period held in Athens by the renowned

Isocrates, who was at the zenith of his reputation."(Collins p. 11) A competitor

with this school was Plato's Academy of philosophy which is where Aristotle

arrived at in the year 367 B.C.. Plato became Aristotle's teacher and soon

realized the massive potential and sheer intellect that Aristotle possessed.

Aristotle was born in 384 B.C. in a town just outside the borders of the

Macedonian Empire, called Stageira. He was rumored to have been raised in the

customs of the Asclepiad. "It was the custom in Asclepiad families for the boys

to be trained by their father in the practice of dissection just as regularly as

boys in other families learn to read and write."(Collins p. 3) When Aristotle

turned seventeen his father, Nicomachus died and he was put under the care of

Proxenus of Atarneus, who sent him to Athens to further his education under the

tutorship of the great philosopher, Plato.

It was at Plato's Academy that Aris...

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... flee Athens

when he was indicted for charges similar to those against Socrates years before.

Aristotle's reason for leaving was said to be "in order that the Athenians might

not have another opportunity of sinning against philosophy, as they had already

done once in the person of Socrates."(Collins p.26) He left for the city of

Chalcis were he sought temporary refuge and planned to return to Athens

following the expected re-invasion by Macedonia. Fate had something different

in mind for Aristotle, he died in 322 B.C. of a sudden illness at the age of

sixty-three.

Aristotelian thought has progressed and influenced cultures for nearly two

millenniums. His founding and development of the theories behind the Realism

movement created the debates that were engaged in during the greater part of the

middle ages. His immense contributions to the natural sciences serve to be the

basis of the standard curriculum for students and learners everywhere.

Aristotle was clearly and impressive figure of history and philosophy for whom

we should hold much respect and admiration.

Bibliography.

1. Collins, Lucas. Aristotle.

2. Blaug, Mark. Aristotle, (384-322 B.C.).