....... HOME ....... MAIN ARTICLE VERSION 7 ... HISTORY ... DISCUSSION .... GALERY .... EDIT V 7 Contents Introduction * Aristotelian Metaphysics * Aristotelian Ethics * Aristotelian Political Theory Keywords See Also References Bibliography ARISTOTLE Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Old Version - 7, updated Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 17:0:30, 4231 bytes - by wlacourt. This article is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended to give medical, legal or professional advice. A summary of the life of Aristotle, his position in the Greek world, how his ideas developed and how they relate as a metaphysical, ethical, and political theory. INTRODUCTION Aristotle was born in the year 384 before the coming of our Lord. A natural thinker, and son of a nobleman, he began studying under the great philosopher of Plato at the age of seventeen. His ideas greatly diverged from that of his master, having some similarities given the philosophical world both lived in, but bringing about very different world views. Many authors believe that Aristotle would be more aptly described as a scientist, understanding that in his time there was no such thing as “science”, rather, all schools of thought were loosely defined as “philosophy”. Thirty-two years after his enrolment with Plato, at the age of forty-nine, he began his school, the Lyceum in Athens. Eight years after opening his school, in 343 BC he began to teach a young prince who would later become Alexander the Great, emperor of the civilized world (the world civilized used In the sense that all the surrounding peoples of the Greek empire were mostly large tribes with who had not yet attained the societal level of civilization). ARISTOTELIAN METAPHYSICS Aristotle saw the world through the eyes of biology. Biology being the study of that which is alive, Aristotle saw ideas as living breathing entities. From the ground up, in the most basic level of existence, Aristotle understood that “objects” came about as a conjunction of a material cause, a formal cause, an efficient cause, and a final cause. Taking an apple, for example, its material cause would be its atoms, becoming molecules and organic matter. Its formal cause would be that of the “fruit”, its logical design. An efficient cause would be that which brings about the object, like carpentry bringing about a chair, or in the case of the fruit, pollination. The final cause is created through its use, a fruits main purpose is the reproduction of the tree. As the fruit has a natural tendency towards the tree, so too does the human being have a natural end to which the ultimate purpose of life is to seek. From this central idea, Aristotle built his conception of aesthetics, sociology, ethics, and political theory. ARISTOTELIAN ETHICS As mentioned before, Man has a teleological end (an ultimate goal of existence). A life worth living, an ethical life, for Aristotle meant a life of virtue. The mental, physical, spiritual and emotional state of virtue, he described as “Eudaimonia”. Eudaimonia loosely translates to happiness. But this modern translation does not cover its truest meaning. While happiness can be described as a momentary state of bliss, where the brain is bombarded with dopamine; Eudaimonia would better be compared to the art of living. Living in virtue, where a truer more intimate conception of happiness is achieved. See, Aristotle believed that some amount of suffering would be necessary in the molding of humanity. Eudaimonia is more closely liked to overcoming obstacles, achieving a better place or state; rather than feeling happy for some occurrence. To seek eudaimonia, a harmonious life of virtue, is to be ethical. ] ARISTOTELIAN POLITICAL THEORY As in all thigs, Aristotle sees society as a living breathing entity, intertwining with the concept of Eudaimonia. By having morality and the power of communication, man can be described as the political animal. Like a herd or a pack, man too has a social hierarchy where Aristotle believed virtue would naturally allocate to the top of the society. Aristocracy by virtue is the preferred political system of Aristotle. Through the foundation and character-building nature of society, men can arise to take their place as an aristocrat, won by merit and attained through moral perfection. KEYWORDS The following keywords are alternate terms which can be used to access this page. Aristotle, ancient philosophy, eudaimonia, political animal, aristocracy, social theory, political theory, virtue, morality, beginnings of science SEE ALSO Ancient Philosophy Plato REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY top