ARISTOTLE, Greek philosopher, and one of the greatest thinkers and scientific investi gators and organizers the world has ever seen.
Life.— Aristotle was born in 384 and died 322 Lc. His birthplace was Stagira (hence he is often called "the Stagirit&') a city on the Thracian peninsula known as Chalcidice, which was at that time thoroughly Hellenic coun try, enjoying all the advantages of Greek cul ture. His father, Nicomachus, was the court physician and friend of the Macedonian King Amyntas. The medical profession is said to have been hereditary in his family, and the sci entific and medical atmosphere in which he grew up probably helped to form his mind in those habits of accuracy and exactness for which he is famous. Both parents having died, his education was directed by Proxenus of Atarneus. In 367 B.C., when in his 18th year, Aristotle came to Athens, and became a mem ber of the Academy, the school of Plato (q.v.). Here he remained until the death of Plato, 20 years later. Before this time, he had be come renowned for his scholarship and brilliant writings, as well as through his public lectures on rhetoric. Doubtless he had also already developed to some extent his own philosophical views. There seems to be no truth in the charges that were brought against Aristotle by later writers, that he was guilty of ingratitude and active hostility toward his teacher, Plato. As we have seen, he remained a member of the Academy until Plato's death, and in his later writings, although criticising with keen insight certain Platonic doctrines, he speaks of his master with the greatest reverence and affec tion (cf. Zeller, 'Aristotle and the Earlier Peri patetics,' Vol. I, Chap. I).
After Plato's death, Aristotle resided for three years at the court of Hermias, ruler of Atarneus, who had been at one time a member of the Academy, marrying there Pythias, the niece, or, as some say, the daughter of the Prince. Hermias, however, was treacherously put to death by the Persians, and Aristotle withdrew to Mitylene. Soon after (343) Aris totle was called by Philip of Macedon to under take the education of his son Alexander, the future conqueror of the world, then a boy of 13 years. Nothing is known regarding the na
ture of the education which Aristotle gave to his distinguished pupil. The regular instruc tion of the Prince must have ceased three years later when he was made regent by his father and entrusted with military duties. Aristotle remained in the north engaged in scientific work, though probably still retaining some connection with the Prince and the Macedonian court. in Alexander set out upon his cam paign n Asia, Aristotle went to Athens and founded there his school. Its place of meeting was the Lyceum, a gymnasium attached to the temple of the Lycetan Apollo. He was accustomed to talk to his pupils as he walked to and fro in the gardens of the Lyceum, and from this custom the school became known as the 'Peripatetic') (treporaniv, to walk up and down).
Here Aristotle taught and directed the vari ous scientific activities of the school for 12 years (335-323). This school was not merely an institution for imparting instruction. It was also an intimate association of scientific workers, many of them, like Theophrastus (who succeeded Aristotle in the leadership), mature men and ripe scholars. The organiza tion and direction of the investigation as well as the fruitful utilization of materials and synthesis of results were, however, the work of the master. During these years, Aristotle systematized the knowledge of the past, and thus defined the limits and laid the foundations of the sciences of the western nations. But he did more. He carried on investigations and extended the boundaries of knowledge in almost every field. In logic, metaphysics, ethics and politics, he reached conclusions that are of great and permanent significance for all time. Moreover, in psychology, zo ology, physics, astronomy, aesthetics, and also in his historical investigations, his work is of the greatest value and importance for all the subsequent development of these sciences. See ARISTOTELIANISM.