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Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

General Introduction  

  • The time period of Aristotle is regarded as 384-322 B.C. 
  • He was a Greek philosopher and is regarded the father of the science of politics. 
  • He was the illustrious disciple of Plato (427-347 B.C.) and the tutor of Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.).
  •  Aristotle's father was a court physician to the King of Macedon, Alexander's grandfather. Hence Aristotle was brought up in the odor of medicine which helped him develop scientific outlook. 
  • He used biological and medical analogies in his discourses on ethics and politics. 
  • He studied philosophy under the guidance of Plato. 
  • Impressed by his talent Plato was called him the brain of his academy. 
  • However, Aristotle later severely criticized his master's radical views.
  •  In many occasion, similarity could be seen in thoughts of both Aristotle and his mentor, Plato. Both account for moral anarchy responsible for the instability of the Greek city state.
  • Aristotle identified various branches of philosophy. 
  • Unlike Plato, Aristotle identified different branches of philosophy.
  • Aristotle's philosophical inquiry is based on 
  1. logic
  2. natural philosophy
  3. metaphysics
  4. philosophy of mind
  5. ethics and politics
  6. literary criticism

 

 


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