Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, educator, and also a scientist. He was one of the greatest and most influential thinkers in Western culture. Aristotle was born in Stagira in northern Greece, the son of Nichomachus, the court physician to the Macedonian royal family. He was first trained in medicine. In 367 Aristotle was sent to Athens to study philosophy with Plato. He studied with Plato until about 347. Aristotle was a bright student but he opposed some of Plato's teachings. Once Plato died, Aristotle was not going to be in charge of the academy because he disagreed with Plato's teachings.
This Picture Shows Aristotle and Plato
Aristotle then proceeded to leave Athens, and traveled, and possibly studied biology, in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey, and its islands. Aristotle then returned to Macedonia in 338 to tutor Alexander the Great. Once Alexander conquered Athens, Aristotle returned and created a school of his own, known as the Lyceum. After Alexander died, Athens rebelled against the Macedonian Rule. This meant that Aristotle's political situation became doubtful. Aristotle fled to the island of Euoboea, to avoid being put to death, where he died soon after (The Tech Classes Archive).
This Map Shows Asia Minor and Ancient Greece Where Aristotle Traveled
The "Four Causes"
Aristotle claimed that the complete understanding of anything requires identifying its "four causes". The Four Causes are the Material Cause (the material somethings made of), the Formal Cause (the form something takes), the Efficient Cause (the motion that begins something), and the Final Cause (the ultimate purpose for something to exist)
This Map Shows Euoboea Where Aristotle Died
Aristotle wrote works and studied: logic
metaphysics
mathematics
physics
biology
botany
ethics
politics
agriculture
medicine
This Picture Shows Athens, Greece, Where Aristotle Studied With Plato
Aristotle had many philosophies. He was the first philosopher to analyze the process where certain propositions can be logically assumed to be true. This is from the fact that certain other propositions are true. Aristotle believed that the most interesting aspect of nature was change. Also, that to understand change, a distinction must be made between the form and matter of something. Aristotle had philosophies of nature, metaphysics, ethics and politics, and literary criticism. All of these philosophies had great meaning in his time and still continue to have great meaning (Soll, Ivan).
This Is A Statue of Aristotle in Greece
Aristotle’s view on human nature is to search for what is good for humans and what can make us morally happy. Aristotle believes that human nature should be fulfilled with happiness. Being human must mean there is something good about us. Aristotle says humans should attain high virtues of good. To be happy is to take our human nature and use it at its best, what it was meant to be and how it was to be used. He wishes to search in humans for the highest good that brings our nature to its truest form.
Aristotle’s principles on human nature also included a defense of slavery. His reasoning was that those who were free deserved to govern the “unfree”. He defends slavery saying that a social hierarchy is needed, so therefore not all humans are equal. Aristotle also believed that human nature was based off of politics and other activities taking place in society. He sees human nature as those who are the rulers or in the upper class were better than any slaves. But, he also believes that humans can change their nature by how they act. Rulers, for example, can become slaves.
Aristotle sees things as a whole, with unity. he sees the political community as a natural entity like an animal or a man. Aristotle views human beings as part of a natural organism. Some people believe this is his great error. Does he view humans as parts? like a limb on the body? If so then he would be seen as, without question, a totalitarian. But he uses the term "part" in many different ways (Fowler 2011).
Aristotle's views on humans as part of a natural organism, contradicts his metaphysics, archetype 6, Aristotle differentiates between "one" and a "unity". The first sense is borrowed, whereas the other is the main sense and applies to things such as animals. This is similar to the distinction Aristotle makes between the two senses of "whole" (Fowler 2011).
Difference Between Plato's Views and Aristotle's Views
While studying under Plato, however, Aristotle came to see things differently than his teacher. He began to question and disagree the ideas and teachings of Plato. Aristotle's main questions were involving the Doctrine of Good. His main question was, which is better; things that are only good in themselves or things that are good in themselves and good in their consequences. In Plato's doctrine, he views the Form of Good as the chief good. Aristotle attacks this because he saw Eudaimonia (A contented state of being happy, healthy and prossperous) as the chief good. Many scholars, however, wonder why Aristotle attacks Plato's ideas on the doctrine of good when they are somewhat similar to his own (Kemerling 2011).
The Catholic Church Views
The Catholic Church’s view on human nature includes a defense for man’s inclinations. The church understands that human nature is to sin. Therefore, humans need cooperation in society in order to function properly and according to God’s will. We, as humans, are opposed to laws and anything else that will limit a person in the world. The church believes that there is no dividing line between education and human nature. This is because humans are taught certain things and we adapt to what is around us. The church says that it is not possible to tell what is nature vs. what is education. There is no way of knowing if there was an influence.
The church says that as humans we can strive towards perfection, but will never be able to fully achieve it. Who we are as a person is shaped through our experiences. Human nature will always be an ongoing battle philosophically. It is difficult to make out what is fully human nature. Two further questions asked are does everything happen a set way or does God reign over us with a free hand. The church also believes that human nature is sacred (Dubray, Charles 1911).
Aristotle has similar views with the church’s views on human nature. Aristotle and the church say that human nature is generally good. They also agree that humans can change through experience. Everyone is not stuck to the position in life that they are born into. People change. It is possible that Aristotle came to his human nature conclusion by studying the church. The views match. The church and Aristotle believe in the good of everyone and that the good will be saved.
In today’s current political system, Aristotle’s views can be compared to America’s current system of government. Aristotle believed a democracy was the ideal system of government. Aristotle saw the connection between power and the tyrants that emerge in positions of power. He preferred a small number of people ruling with all the power. That way no one man could emerge and rule as a dictator. When America was founded, the Founding Fathers wanted to establish a government for the people to rule. The Articles of Confederation were then created to be a more democratic government than England. America is an example that can be linked to Aristotle. Knowing how to create laws and govern fairly is essential for a democratic government. The laws that Aristotle wanted to limit evil and corruption of power are what America wanted as well. (Martin 2003)
Living a happy life is important to know before identifying or creating the ideal system of government. Aristotle’s idea is to create a government that the people will like. America was created with the same vision. Also, America was built upon the idea that anyone could succeed and the individual was important. America was built upon the ideas that Aristotle first thought of thousands of years before. (Martin 2003)
Aristotle's Dilemma A. F. Mackay The Journal of EthicsVol. 9, No. 3/4, Devoted to James Rachels (2005), pp. 533-549
Katie Croke
Cory Vescera
Joelle Cipolla
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, educator, and also a scientist. He was one of the greatest and most influential thinkers in Western culture. Aristotle was born in Stagira in northern Greece, the son of Nichomachus, the court physician to the Macedonian royal family. He was first trained in medicine. In 367 Aristotle was sent to Athens to study philosophy with Plato. He studied with Plato until about 347. Aristotle was a bright student but he opposed some of Plato's teachings. Once Plato died, Aristotle was not going to be in charge of the academy because he disagreed with Plato's teachings.
This Picture Shows Aristotle and Plato
Aristotle then proceeded to leave Athens, and traveled, and possibly studied biology, in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey, and its islands. Aristotle then returned to Macedonia in 338 to tutor Alexander the Great. Once Alexander conquered Athens, Aristotle returned and created a school of his own, known as the Lyceum. After Alexander died, Athens rebelled against the Macedonian Rule. This meant that Aristotle's political situation became doubtful. Aristotle fled to the island of Euoboea, to avoid being put to death, where he died soon after (The Tech Classes Archive).
This Map Shows Asia Minor and Ancient Greece Where Aristotle Traveled
The "Four Causes"
Aristotle claimed that the complete understanding of anything requires identifying its "four causes". The Four Causes are the Material Cause (the material somethings made of), the Formal Cause (the form something takes), the Efficient Cause (the motion that begins something), and the Final Cause (the ultimate purpose for something to exist)
This Map Shows Euoboea Where Aristotle Died
logic
metaphysics
mathematics
physics
biology
botany
ethics
politics
agriculture
medicine
This Picture Shows Athens, Greece, Where Aristotle Studied With Plato
Aristotle had many philosophies. He was the first philosopher to analyze the process where certain propositions can be logically assumed to be true. This is from the fact that certain other propositions are true. Aristotle believed that the most interesting aspect of nature was change. Also, that to understand change, a distinction must be made between the form and matter of something. Aristotle had philosophies of nature, metaphysics, ethics and politics, and literary criticism. All of these philosophies had great meaning in his time and still continue to have great meaning (Soll, Ivan).
This Is A Statue of Aristotle in Greece
Aristotle’s view on human nature is to search for what is good for humans and what can make us morally happy. Aristotle believes that human nature should be fulfilled with happiness. Being human must mean there is something good about us. Aristotle says humans should attain high virtues of good. To be happy is to take our human nature and use it at its best, what it was meant to be and how it was to be used. He wishes to search in humans for the highest good that brings our nature to its truest form.
Aristotle’s principles on human nature also included a defense of slavery. His reasoning was that those who were free deserved to govern the “unfree”. He defends slavery saying that a social hierarchy is needed, so therefore not all humans are equal. Aristotle also believed that human nature was based off of politics and other activities taking place in society. He sees human nature as those who are the rulers or in the upper class were better than any slaves. But, he also believes that humans can change their nature by how they act. Rulers, for example, can become slaves.
Aristotle sees things as a whole, with unity. he sees the political community as a natural entity like an animal or a man. Aristotle views human beings as part of a natural organism. Some people believe this is his great error. Does he view humans as parts? like a limb on the body? If so then he would be seen as, without question, a totalitarian. But he uses the term "part" in many different ways (Fowler 2011).
Aristotle's views on humans as part of a natural organism, contradicts his metaphysics, archetype 6, Aristotle differentiates between "one" and a "unity". The first sense is borrowed, whereas the other is the main sense and applies to things such as animals. This is similar to the distinction Aristotle makes between the two senses of "whole" (Fowler 2011).
Difference Between Plato's Views and Aristotle's Views
While studying under Plato, however, Aristotle came to see things differently than his teacher. He began to question and disagree the ideas and teachings of Plato. Aristotle's main questions were involving the Doctrine of Good. His main question was, which is better; things that are only good in themselves or things that are good in themselves and good in their consequences. In Plato's doctrine, he views the Form of Good as the chief good. Aristotle attacks this because he saw Eudaimonia (A contented state of being happy, healthy and prossperous) as the chief good. Many scholars, however, wonder why Aristotle attacks Plato's ideas on the doctrine of good when they are somewhat similar to his own (Kemerling 2011).
The Catholic Church Views
The Catholic Church’s view on human nature includes a defense for man’s inclinations. The church understands that human nature is to sin. Therefore, humans need cooperation in society in order to function properly and according to God’s will. We, as humans, are opposed to laws and anything else that will limit a person in the world. The church believes that there is no dividing line between education and human nature. This is because humans are taught certain things and we adapt to what is around us. The church says that it is not possible to tell what is nature vs. what is education. There is no way of knowing if there was an influence.
The church says that as humans we can strive towards perfection, but will never be able to fully achieve it. Who we are as a person is shaped through our experiences. Human nature will always be an ongoing battle philosophically. It is difficult to make out what is fully human nature. Two further questions asked are does everything happen a set way or does God reign over us with a free hand. The church also believes that human nature is sacred (Dubray, Charles 1911).
Aristotle has similar views with the church’s views on human nature. Aristotle and the church say that human nature is generally good. They also agree that humans can change through experience. Everyone is not stuck to the position in life that they are born into. People change. It is possible that Aristotle came to his human nature conclusion by studying the church. The views match. The church and Aristotle believe in the good of everyone and that the good will be saved.
In today’s current political system, Aristotle’s views can be compared to America’s current system of government. Aristotle believed a democracy was the ideal system of government. Aristotle saw the connection between power and the tyrants that emerge in positions of power. He preferred a small number of people ruling with all the power. That way no one man could emerge and rule as a dictator. When America was founded, the Founding Fathers wanted to establish a government for the people to rule. The Articles of Confederation were then created to be a more democratic government than England. America is an example that can be linked to Aristotle. Knowing how to create laws and govern fairly is essential for a democratic government. The laws that Aristotle wanted to limit evil and corruption of power are what America wanted as well. (Martin 2003)
Living a happy life is important to know before identifying or creating the ideal system of government. Aristotle’s idea is to create a government that the people will like. America was created with the same vision. Also, America was built upon the idea that anyone could succeed and the individual was important. America was built upon the ideas that Aristotle first thought of thousands of years before. (Martin 2003)
Aristotle's Dilemma
A. F. Mackay
The Journal of EthicsVol. 9, No. 3/4, Devoted to James Rachels (2005), pp. 533-549
Published by: Springer
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25115840
"Aristotle [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 30 Aug. 2011. http://www.iep.utm.edu/aristotl/.
Dubray, Charles. "Nature." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 8 Sept. 2011 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10715a.htm>.
Kemerling, Garth. "Aristotle." Philosophy Pages. Web. 30 Aug. 2011. <http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/aris.htm>.
Fowler, Michael. "Aristotle." Galileo. Web. 30 Aug. 2011. <http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/109N/lectures/aristot2.html>.
Thomas R. Martin, with Neel Smith & Jennifer F.Stuart, “Democracy in the Politics of Aristotle ,” in C.W. Blackwell, ed., edition of July 26, 2003. www.cwb@stoa.org.
Kraut, Richard. "Aristotle's Ethics." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University. Web. 1 Sept. 2011. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/.
Frank, Jill Citizens, Slaves, and Foreigners: Aristotle on Human Nature. The American Political Science Review Vol. 98, No. 1 (Feb., 2004) (pp. 91-104) (jstor)