Aristotle was a pivotal figure in shaping the scientific method and established the renowned Lyceum, home to the first research library. His life was marked by his early education under Plato, extensive travels, and his profound influence on Western thought. This biography explores the intriguing phases of his life, highlighting his contributions to philosophy and science.

Early Life

Born in 384 BCE in Stagirus, a town on the Chalcidice Peninsula of Greece, Aristotle's early years were shaped by his familial legacy in medicine. His father, Nicomachus, belonged to the Asclepiadae guild of healers, a tradition passed down through generations. Likely, the family had roots tracing back to Messenia from the eighth or seventh century BCE. Aristotle's mother hailed from Chalcis, the town he eventually sought refuge in later years. Orphaned at a young age, Aristotle was raised by Proxenus, a physician to Amyntas II of Macedonia, suggesting a childhood spent amidst the Macedonian court, possibly acquiring skills in surgery.

The environment during his formative years laid the groundwork for Aristotle's analytical mindset and interest in the natural sciences. Despite being raised among medical professionals and royalty, not philosophers, Aristotle pursued philosophical studies at Plato's Academy in Athens at eighteen, thus concluding the first phase of his life.

Life’s Work

Aristotle’s career can be divided into three major phases. The first was his two decades at Plato’s Academy from 368 to 348 BCE, where he forged a strong bond with Plato. During these years, he crafted early works mostly preserved through fragments, often referenced by later scholars.

Upon Plato’s return from a journey, Aristotle emerged as his favored student and companion. While Aristotle's early writings took the form of dialogues, mimicking Plato's style, he soon made himself the focal point of these dialogues. His work "De anima" or "On the Soul" is often considered his finest from this period, reflecting on the nature of the soul and immortality, a theme inspired by Plato’s "Phaedōn." As Aristotle matured, he developed his own methodologies and logic, diverging from Plato’s metaphysical ideas, such as the theory of forms.

The second phase of Aristotle's life began with his departure from Athens in 348 BCE, prompted by Plato’s death and the subsequent shifts in the Academy's leadership. Joining Xenocrates, Aristotle traveled to Mysia, where he was invited by Hermeias, an old acquaintance and ruler of Atarneus and Assos. Here, Aristotle established a school modeled after the Academy, married Hermeias’ niece Pythias, and continued his biological research.

His journey then took him to Mytilene on Lesbos, where he furthered his studies in marine biology. It is during this time that he likely penned works such as "De philosophia" and "Ethica Eudemia." In 343 BCE, Aristotle accepted an invitation from Philip II to tutor the young Alexander the Great, forging a lifelong friendship though his political views failed to impress upon his student.

The final chapter of Aristotle’s career unfolded with his return to Athens in 335 BCE, where he founded the Lyceum. This institution rivaled Plato's Academy and became a center for intense scientific and philosophical inquiry. Aristotle utilized the Lyceum to develop his scientific methods, emphasizing empirical observation and logical analysis. His lectures attracted both advanced students and larger public audiences, tackling topics from metaphysics to politics.

Later Life and Death

In the twilight of his years, Aristotle led a life marked by both intellectual rigor and personal leisure. Known for his sharp wit and distinctive appearance, he maintained an active role in the Lyceum while enjoying a comfortable, self-indulgent lifestyle. After the death of his wife Pythias, he entered into a non-marital relationship with Herpyllis, with whom he had a son, Nicomachus, named after his father.

Following the death of Alexander in 323 BCE and the subsequent rise of anti-Macedonian sentiments in Athens, Aristotle sought refuge in Chalcis, his mother's birthplace. There, he passed away a year later, succumbing to a long-standing illness.

Significance

Aristotle's intellectual journey reflects a continuous evolution from his early years among medical and royal circles to his groundbreaking work at Plato's Academy. He absorbed and expanded upon the thoughts of earlier Greek philosophers, perfecting the Socratic method by arriving at concrete conclusions. His enduring influence on Western philosophy and science is matched only by Plato’s, as he propelled Greek philosophical thought to new heights.

His legacy continued through the Peripatetic school, impacting centuries of philosophical and scientific thought. Aristotle’s method of logical and empirical investigation set a foundation for the scientific method that persists in modern inquiry.

Further Reading

• Ackrill, J. L. Essays on Plato and Aristotle. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997.
• Adler, Mortimer J. Aristotle for Everybody: Difficult Thought Made Easy. New York: Scribner’s, 1997.
• Bar On, Bat-Ami, ed. Engendering Origins: Critical Feminist Readings in Plato and Aristotle. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1994.
• Barnes, Jonathan. Aristotle. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982.
• Barnes, Jonathan, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
• Edel, Abraham. Aristotle and His Philosophy. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Books, 1996.
• Ferguson, John. Aristotle. Boston: Twayne, 1972.
• Lear, Jonathan. Aristotle and Logical Theory. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1980.
• McLeisch, Kenneth. Aristotle. New York: Routledge, 1999.
• Robinson, Timothy A. Aristotle in Outline. Indianapolis, Ind.: Hackett, 1995.
• Rorty, Amélie Oksenberg, ed. Essays on Aristotle’s “Ethics.” Berkeley: University of California Press, 1981.
• Strathern, Paul. Aristotle in Ninety Minutes. Chicago: Ivan Dee, 1996.