(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Aristotle


            
             "The range of Aristotle's interest and intellect is extraordinary. He was the leading expert of his time in every field of knowledge, with the possible exception of mathematics." (Perry).
             Aristotle was born during 384 BC (Hellenic era) in Stagirus, on the Chalcidic peninsula of Northern Greece. He was the son of Nicomachus, a medical doctor, and his mother was named Phaestis. His mother came from Chalcis, Euboea. His father was a doctor that traveled round the country tending to the sick. Though it has not been recorded it is highly likely that Aristotle assisted his father on his travels. Nicomachus intended for his son to be a doctor. Conditions in Chalcidice were less satisfactory than the neighboring state of Macedonia so the family moved there for Nicomachus's work. Nicomachus was soon appointed as the personal physician to Amyntas III, King of Macedonia. The three of them lived in Pella, the capital of Macedonia for a few years. This is when Aristotle became friends with Phillip, King Amyntas's son.
             When Aristotle was about ten years old his father died. Since his mother also died at a young age, Aristotle was brought up by a guardian, Proxenus of Atarneus, who was his uncle. Proxenus taught Aristotle Greek, rhetoric, and poetry. At the age of 17, Aristotle went to Athens to study at Plato's Academy. When he arrived there the Academy had been open for twenty years, also Plato was in Sicily on a political calling. The Academy was highly involved in the politics of the time. When Aristotle arrived in Athens, the Academy was being run by Eudoxus of Cnidos in Plato's absence. Speusippus, Plato's nephew, was also teaching at the Academy and so was Xenocrates of Chalcedon. All Aristotle's writing at this time strongly supported Plato's views and those of the Academy. Aristotle remained there for about twenty years, as a student and then as a teacher.
             Plato died in 347 BC and Speuippus assumed the leadership of the Academy.


Essays Related to Aristotle


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question