Who Was Aristotle? A Guide to the Greek Philosopher's Life and Beliefs

Aristotle (384-322 BCE) stands as one of the most influential philosophers in Western history, whose ideas continue to shape modern thought across numerous disciplines.

## Biography

Born in Stagira, a small town in northern Greece, Aristotle was the son of Nicomachus, personal physician to King Amyntas of Macedon. At age 17, he traveled to Athens to study at Plato's Academy, where he remained for nearly 20 years until Plato's death.

In 343 BCE, King Philip II of Macedon invited Aristotle to tutor his son, the future Alexander the Great. This prestigious position lasted several years before Aristotle returned to Athens in 335 BCE to establish his own school, the Lyceum.

Following Alexander's death in 323 BCE, anti-Macedonian sentiment in Athens forced Aristotle to flee to Chalcis, where he died the following year at age 62.

## Core Beliefs and Philosophy

**Logic and Reasoning:** Aristotle developed formal logic and the syllogism, creating systematic methods for valid reasoning that dominated Western thought for centuries.

**Ethics:** He believed the ultimate human goal was 'eudaimonia' (flourishing or happiness), achieved through virtuous living and finding the 'golden mean' between extremes.

**Natural Philosophy:** Unlike his teacher Plato, Aristotle emphasized empirical observation of the natural world, laying groundwork for scientific methodology.

**Politics:** He viewed humans as inherently political beings and analyzed various forms of government, advocating for constitutional rule.

**Metaphysics:** Aristotle explored concepts of substance, causation, and the nature of existence, introducing ideas like the 'Unmoved Mover.'

Aristotle's extensive writings on biology, physics, poetry, and rhetoric demonstrate his belief that all knowledge was interconnected and worthy of systematic study.