Aristotle in Plain and Simple English

BookCaps

• Publisher: Golgotha Press, Inc.
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9781621071501
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Philosopher Biographies

Aristotle was one of the greatest philosophers of all time. His writings covered everything from physics and logic to politics and ethics. His thoughts will blow you away! If, that is, you can understand him! This book takes some of Aristotle's most complex thoughts and ideas, and puts them in a language anyone can understand. The "Plain and Simple English" series is part of BookCaps™ growing library of book and history recaps.

Chapter 1: Biography

 

 

Aristotle was born in Stagira, in northern Greece, in 384 BC, in what was then part of ancient Macedonia. His father, Nichomachus had served as personal physician to the King of Macedonia, Amyntas – who was later to become the grandfather of Alexander the Great. Aristotle did not want for anything growing up, and was brought up an aristocrat, due to his father’s connections. Both his parents died when he was quite young at which point he was moved to Atarneus, a Greek city on the coast of Asia Minor to be brought up by his cousin Proxenus.

 

Aristotle Studies under Plato

 

When Aristotle was around 17, he moved to Athens to study under the eminent philosopher Plato at his Academy. Here, he stayed for 20 years or so, learning much from his teacher, and was soon invited to become one of his colleagues. Aristotle certainly admired Plato but began to develop theories of his own – Plato is believed to have called Aristotle a ‘mind on legs’. He is also believed to have called him ‘the foal’ – some think this is because Aristotle began to ‘kick’ his elder, in terms of rebutting some of his beliefs.

Of course, we can only take a guess at what Aristotle was like physically and socially – some reports indicate that he was somewhat of follower of fashion, always showing off the latest sandals and togas, and jewelry. He is also believed to have been quite slight of person, and we know that later on – because of the few images which have been handed down from antiquity – that he sported a long flowing beard in common with many of his compatriots. What is certain is that he would not have been short of money, and he is believed to have also spent a considerable deal on a vast collection of scrolls and ancient works – in fact he was one of the first people ever to amass a library.

Plato died in 347 BC leaving the Academy in the hands of his nephew Speusippus. Unimpressed by the direction Speusippus was taking at the Academy and possibly also because of a wave of anti-Macedonian feeling; Aristotle left Athens with his friend Xenocrates. They sailed across the Aegean Sea, to Atarneus, his later childhood home, now under the control of Hermias. He was later to marry Hermias’ adopted daughter (some say niece or sister), Pythias – she was 18 years old to his 37 years. Not long after this Aristotle founded a school at Assos, and three years later moved to Mytelene on the island of Lesbos where he founded another school. It was here he became especially interested in nature and the classification of plants and animals.

 

Aristotle – Tutor to Alexander the Great

 

The next well known stage in Aristotle’s life was about to begin. In 343 BC Philip of Macedonia – who had recently taken over Greece, invited Aristotle to become tutor to his son, Alexander. This was an offer he literally couldn’t refuse without causing serious offence so Aristotle headed for Pella, the capital of Macedonia to teach the unruly 13 year old.

Aristotle was 42 years old at the time. Although there are some rather romanticized versions of this thrilling historical pairing it seems unlikely that the tutor and his pupil had much in common. In 336 BC Philip of Macedonia was assassinated and sixteen year old Alexander took the throne, later to embark on his quest to take over the world.

 

The Birth of the Lyceum

 

Aristotle was allowed to return home to Stagira where he was to spend five years, before returning to Athens. In 339 BC, Speusippus died leaving the head post at the Academy vacant – this time the honor fell to Aristotle’s old friend Xenocrates. Upset at having been passed over yet again Aristotle decided to found his own school which he established just outside the city walls close to the Temple of Lyceus – therefore the school was named the Lyceum. The Lyceum undertook various researches into the sciences, research which was passed on to the students. Aristotle spent his days walking with his colleagues and students – talking and lecturing – which is why his school became known as the ‘Peripatetic’ school.

In his later years, Aristotle married again after the death of his first wife, and she later gave birth to his son Nichomachus (he already had a daughter).  In 323 BC news reached Athens that Alexander the Great had died after a prolonged bout of drinking, news which was to have a significant impact on Aristotle. The Athenians had long resented Macedonian rule, so the death of Alexander was joyfully received. They could now give vent to their anger some of which became directed towards Aristotle. Aristotle had been born in Macedonia, and was well known for being Alexander’s tutor - both were reason enough for him to be castigated for being a traitor.

 

Aristotle’s Escape

 

The Athenians charged Aristotle with impiety, and he surely would have been sentenced to death. However, as we famously know, he fled the capital, so that Athens would be prevented from ‘sinning twice against philosophy.’ (This is in reference to the death of Socrates at the hands of the Athenians less than a century earlier).

Aristotle had to leave the Lyceum and his vast library behind him, heading for Chalcis where his mother had previously lived. Here, Aristotle was to die in 322 BC at the age of sixty three, just a year after his arrival in Chalcis. There are some claims that he committed suicide, so distraught was he at being ostracized from his seat of learning. Many dispute this, however; some believe he died accidentally from an overdose of Wolfbane, which was used to cure disease.

He left a thoughtful will – some of which survived - in which he outlines instructions for his children, and asks to be buried next to his first wife. He also states that should his second wife Herphyllis wish to remarry she should be allowed to do so – so long as it was to someone ‘not unworthy’. This shows us that Aristotle was a thoughtful man who cared about his family – allowing us just a glimpse into the mind of a man who lived well over two thousand years ago.

Chapter 2: Logic

Of all Aristotle’s greatest achievements, he is perhaps best known today for inventing the principles of what we think of as formal logic- the instrument or means by whi...