Aristotle 384 322 BC Essay Research Paper

Aristotle (384 -322 BC)

ARISTOTLE’S LIFE

Aristotle, Greek philosopher and scientist, is one of the most famous of ancient

philosophers. He was born in Stagira, Greece to a physician to the royal court.

When he became eighteen, Aristotle entered Plato’s School in Athens and remained

at this academy for twenty years, as a student and then as a teacher. He was

recognized as the Academy’s brightest and was given the title of “The

Intelligence of the School”. When Plato died in 347 BC, Aristotle left Athens

and joined a group of disciples of Plato, with his friend Hermias. Hermias

became ruler of a city called Assos, a city in Asia Minor. Aristotle married

Hermias’ adopted daughter, Pythias. In 343 or 342 BC, Philip II, king of

Macedonia, told Aristotle to supervise the education of his son, Alexander

(later known as “Alexander the Great”). He taught him until 336 BC, when

Alexander became the ruler of Macedonia. Alexander the Great later became the

ruler of all Greece, and over threw the Persian Empire. In 334 BC, Aristotle

returned to Athens and started his own school, the Lyceum. Because he taught

while walking around, his students were called the Peripatetic students, meaning

“walking” or “strolling”. When Alexander died in 323 BC, Aristotle was charged

with impiety (lack of reverence to the gods) by the Athenians. The Athenians

probably did this because they resented

Lu-2 Aristotle’s friendship with Alexander, the man who conquered

them. Aristotle fled to Euboea. He died there the next year.

ETHICS

Aristotle believed that there was no way to make an accurate resolution of human

decisions since an individual had his or her own choice. He did, however, say

that all human beings want “happiness” and that there are many ways in which

this goal can be achieved.

He also believed that “full excellence” can only be reached by the mature male

adult of the upper class, not by women, or children, or barbarians (non-Greeks),

or manual workers.