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Aristotle: biography
Aristotle was born in approximately 384 BCE in Stagira, Greece, to parents Nicomachus and Phaestis. When Aristotle was still young, his father passed away, and as a result, Aristotle moved to Athens. Aristotle joined the Academy of Plato as a pupil, and later he became Plato's protégé. Little is known about Aristotle's life. However, what we do know is that during his lifetime, he contributed greatly to the fields of philosophy and science, teaching subjects such as philosophy, ethics, logic, and politics along the way.
In 322 BCE, Aristotle died of a stomach illness. Aristotle is buried in Stagira, Greece, in a tomb.
Aristotle: philosophy
Aristotle made many contributions to philosophy, ethics, science, the arts, and politics, and he had different theories concerning each of these. Many of Aristotle's key theories, however, pertained to metaphysics. Let's have a look at some of these below:
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy, which deals particularly in the study of the nature of reality. This study includes a number of abstract philosophical ideas; for example space, time, being (or existing), knowing, and identity.
Aristotle: ethical theory
Aristotle believed that in order to achieve eudaimonia, the ultimate state of happiness or human flourishing, individuals needed to focus first on being virtuous. According to Aristotle, it is by living a virtuous life that one can then become truly happy.
Aristotle: metaphysical theory
Aristotle: consciousness
Aristotle believed that life forms are not abstract objects, and posited that these forms live very much within space and time. Likewise, Aristotle believed that our consciousness is within our physical body, and is not separate from us.
Aristotle: the universe
According to Aristotle, everything in existence consists of one or more of these five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and aether.
Aristotle: evolution
Aristotle believed that life forms developed gradually from simple to more complex forms, and that all life forms first originated from the sea.
Aristotle: books and quotes
Aristotle: Poetics
Written circa 330 BCE, Aristotle's Poetics is a work of literary and dramatic theory. In Poetics, Aristotle focuses in particular on tragedy and poetry.
Aristotle: tragedy in Poetics
In his Poetics, Aristotle explores the typical features that make up a tragedy. Aristotle compared the genre of tragedy to comedy and the epic, and stated that it often contained serious action and incidents which were able to arouse pity and fear in its audiences. In defining the tragic hero, Aristotle noted that they could be neither excessively good nor excessively evil, but a balanced mixture of the two.
It follows that we must represent men either as better than in real life, or as worse, or as they are.1 (Ch.2)
Aristotle: poetry in Poetics
Aristotle examines the fundamental parts of poetry in his Poetics. According to Aristotle, poetry is the artful use of rhythm, language, and harmony, happening at once or separately. Aristotle posited that, unlike philosophy, poetry is imitative, as it draws from and reflects real-life people, objects, and events. It is for this reason, Aristotle says, that humans are so drawn in by poetry. He also states that we can, in fact, learn from poetry.
it is not the function of the poet to relate what has happened, but what may happen, what is possible according to the law of probability or necessity1 (Ch.9)
Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics
Written circa 350 BCE, Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics is a philosophical and ethical exploration into humanity, and in particular, human moral virtues. Aristotle writes that balanced virtues are a means to eudaimonia, in other words, the ultimate state of happiness or human flourishing. Aristotle defines virtue, and distinguishes between the different types of virtue, i.e. moral and intellectual. He also answers the question of what exactly constitutes a virtuous person. Let's take a look at some of the different virtues that Aristotle explores in Nichomachean Ethics:
| Courage | By courage, Aristotle means bravery, not being cowardly nor reckless |
| Temperance | The practice of moderation |
| Liberality | Aristotle's view of liberality is being able to give, especially giving to charity |
| Magnificence | By magnificence, Aristotle means living and spending in a way which is extravagant, but that also produces good for others |
| Magnanimity | Aristotle's perception of magnanimity is being noble in both heart and mind, holding a sense of self-worth but without an over-inflated ego |
| Good temper | According to Aristotle, being patient and calm, being able to practice self-restraint |
| Friendliness | Aristotle specifies here that it should be the right amount of friendly, i.e. not overly friendly and to too many people, but ensuring that you are not unfriendly or hostile |
| Truthfulness | In Aristotle's view, being candid and honest, refraining from lying |
| Wit | By wit, Aristotle means having a sense of humour and being joyful without being tasteless or boorish |
| Justice | In Aristotle's view, justice includes having a moral compass, or a sense of right and wrong, and using this to deal fairly with people |
There is a similar uncertainty also about what is good, because good things often do people harm: men have before now been ruined by wealth, and have lost their lives through courage. Our subject, then, and our data being of this nature, we must be content if we can indicate the truth roughly and in outline.2 (Ch.3)
Aristotle: Politics
Aristotle's Politics, written around 350 BCE, is a close examination of politics, and in particular, of what exactly makes a good and a bad government. Aristotle states that as humans we are political animals. Aristotle claims that being associated with politics is what will allow us to live fulfilled, high-quality lives. Let's take a look at Aristotle's categories of what he perceives to be good and bad government:
Aristotle: good government
| Constitutional government | According to Aristotle, government in the hands of the many. A constitutional government is a compromise between oligarchy and democracy, in which everyone's interests and demands can be accommodated for by the masses |
| Aristocracy | Aristotle defines aristocracy as government in the hands of just a few, who deserve to be elected on the basis that they have the interests of the many in mind |
| Kingship | Aristotle's definition of kingship is government in the hands of one, that one person being the king, who is an exceptional ruler that has all of his subjects' interests at heart |
Aristotle: Bad government
| Democracy | Government of the people, by the people, for the people - Aristotle viewed the system of democracy as corrupt, and believed that it served to undermine the important rule of law |
| Oligarchy | Government by the few, and in particular, the wealthy few. Aristotle viewed oligarchy as a system in which the needs of the poor are ignored in favour for the interests of the wealthy |
| Tyranny | The worst system according to Aristotle is tyranny, in which society is governed by one individual who is often corrupt, and is only interested in what will benefit them |
Every state is a community of some kind, and every community is established with a view to some good; for mankind always act in order to obtain that which they think good.3 (Ch.1)
Aristotle: Metaphysics
Also written circa 350 BCE, Aristotle's Metaphysics is a study of existence, or being. In Metaphysics, Aristotle rejects the Theory of Forms presented by Plato, in which Plato posited that reality is abstract and that we exist beyond the physical world. According to Aristotle, our life forms are not abstract objects, and live within space and time. Likewise, Aristotle posited that our consciousness is not separate from us, but lies within our physical body.
It is requisite there should be a certain nature, either one, or more than one, from which other things are generated while it is itself preserved.4 (Ch.3)
Aristotle's theories, such as that of the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, and aether), laid fundamental groundwork for studies within biology long after he had passed away. He also inspired the works of many important figures and their discoveries. There are clear parallels, for example, between his theory that life forms developed gradually from simple to more complex forms, and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Aristotle has made important contributions to almost every field of knowledge, and those he gave to the fields of science and philosophy are still relevant to us today.
Aristotle: Key takeaways
- Aristotle was born around 384 BCE in Stagira, Greece.
- While Aristotle was still young his father Nicomachus passed away, and as a result, Aristotle moved to Athens.
- Aristotle joined the Academy of Plato as a pupil, and later Aristotle became Plato's colleague.
- Aristotle made many contributions to philosophy, and many of Aristotle's key theories pertained to metaphysics, in particular on consciousness, the universe, and evolution.
- Among Aristotle's best known works are Poetics, Nichomachean Ethics, Politics, and Metaphysics.
- Aristotle died of a stomach illness in 322 BCE.
- Aristotle is buried in Stagira, Greece, in a tomb.
1. Aristotle, Poetics, circa 330 BCE (translated by S. H. Butcher, 1902 edition)
2. Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, circa 350 BCE (translated by F. H. Peters, 1906)
3. Aristotle, Politics, circa 350 BCE (translated by B. Jowett, 1885)
4. Aristotle, Metaphysics, circa 350 BCE (translated by T. Taylor, 1801)
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Frequently Asked Questions about Aristotle
What is Aristotle best known for?
Aristotle is best known for his contributions to philosophy and science
Who is Aristotle?
Aristotle was a philosopher and scientist, and he made groundbreaking contributions to both fields. During Aristotle's lifetime, he also taught a variety of subjects, for example, philosophy, ethics, logic, and politics.
What was Aristotle's main theory?
Many of Aristotle's key theories pertained to metaphysics, for example on consciousness, the universe, and evolution
What did Aristotle believe in?
Aristotle believed that life forms are not abstract objects, and posited that these forms live very much within space and time. Likewise, Aristotle believed that our consciousness is within our physical body, and is not separate from us.
What 3 things did Aristotle do?
Aristotle was a pupil in the Academy of Plato. He wrote Poetics (330 BCE), Metaphysics (350 BCE) and Nichomachean Ethics (350 BCE), and taught a variety of subjects including philosophy, ethics, logic, and politics.
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