Aristotle is the famed Greek philosopher, scientist, and educator born in Macedonia in 384 BCE. He became an adept student at Plato’s Academy, where Plato often referred to him as the “intellect” of the school. Much of his theories can be seen as drawn from Plato’s teaching, but he was more practical than Plato in many respects. Aristotle concerned himself more with how philosophy applied to subjects like writing, the arts, science, and logic.

Aristotle’s father was a court physician, who died when Aristotle was about ten years old. His mother’s death preceded his fathers’ but is not dated. From his father, historians believe that Aristotle would have learned early on about biology, science and medicine, which would form the basis for some of his later works.

His uncle, Proxenus, who was a teacher of rhetoric and writing, cared for Aristotle. Since Aristotle was born in Macedonia, he did not speak Greek. Proxenus taught Aristotle Greek as well, preparing him for his later success in Athens.

At 18, Aristotle joined Plato’s Academy as first a student and later a teacher. He would remain there for the next 19 years, and was thought to be the first pick for running the Academy upon Plato’s death. However, Plato’s nephew received the job, and Aristotle traveled for a time and became tutor to Alexander the Great.

When Alexander became king of Macedonia, Aristotle returned to Athens and opened his school, The Lyceum, which would remain open from 335-321. When Alexander became unpopular and despised by the Athenians, Aristotle’s association with him made living in Athens a dangerous thing, and Aristotle was charged with impiety, as Socrates had been charged before him. Instead of standing trial, Aristotle fled to the country, dying the next year of a stomach disorder in 322.

On of Aristotle’s main contributions to philosophy is his work up of logic, upon which he wrote six texts, called together The Organon. Though much of the work of Aristotle was lost for a time, Organon was not. Through these texts Aristotle explores the nature of the syllogism, the way in which logic must proceed to avoid fallacies, and the nature of writing “commonplaces,” which can be adapted for the moral use of rhetoric. Throughout this, and all his other works, one sees that Aristotle loved classification and definition. When words did not previously exist for a logical phenomena, Aristotle made them up, as he does with the word, syllogism.

Aristotle’s theories on science are not, to most scientists very helpful. He advocates science through reason rather than observation. He did however develop the scientific method that is still used in scientific inquiry today. But his actual statements about scientific topics are often untrue. As the great classifier, however, he is responsible for developing the classification system of plants and animals, which still exists today.

In his work on metaphysics, Aristotle attempted to define the causes for existence of each thing that could be observed. Again, investigation was through reason, rather than observation. He defined several sets of causes, and further explored the physical make-up of the universe as being a mix of several forms of matter, like water and fire.

In ethics, Aristotle’s best-known work is the Niomachean Ethics which treats of the ways in which man can be virtuous. Aristotle believed that one could not simply study what is good, but must also be good by performing virtuous deeds. In great length he classifies what constitutes virtue, how each virtue compares to other virtues, and what steps one must take to be virtuous.

Much of Aristotle’s work was lost for a time, but later became the focus of serious study by both Jewish and Arabic philosophers in the 6th century CE. Early travelers to Arabic countries “discovered” the work of Aristotle, and many of his theories form the basis for medieval thought and philosophy.

Aristotle’s Poetics prescribe a method for creative writing, particularly plays, which would be followed through the Renaissance. Comedy contained certain elements, as did tragedy. Tragedy was lofty, comedy base. To deviate from these proscribed methods was to produce lesser quality work.

Aristotle’s work continued to influence various disciplines throughout the 19th century. However, his deliberate classification annoyed modernist writers, and scientists. He has become of lesser importance as the years have passed even though his work is essential to understanding the Classical and Medieval mindset.