Aristotles Wisdom - Term Paper Example

One of his biggest accomplishments was the classification of knowledge into disciplines such as mathematics, biology, and ethics (Iep).
Aristotle is considered the father of the field of logic. He was the first person to develop a formalized system of reasoning. Based on Aristotle’s philosophy the validity of any argument can be determined by its structure rather than by its content. The scientific method was used by Aristotle in his reasoning arguments. Aristotle founded a school in Greece called Lyceum. He taught in this school for thirteen years where he developed his philosophical treatises. During his discourses, Aristotle would always walk around. His followers imitated his walking around and as a consequence, they became known as peripatetics which meant “to walk about” (Iep).
The writings of Aristotle were held by his student Theophrastus. Eventually, the writings were given to Theophrastus protégé Neleus. Neleus protected the books from being stolen by keeping them locked in a vault. The dampness and moths of the vault damaged some of the books. The books were in hiding for over a century. Then in 100 B.C., they were discovered by

Apellicon brought them to Athens. A few decades later the books reach Rome. It was in Rome that Aristotle's literature caught the attention of scholars. Aristotle's writings studied in Rome are the same literature today’s academic community is studying. The works of Aristotle are classified into three categories: dialogues and works of the popular character, collections of fact and material from scientific treatment, and systematic works (Iep, 2005). One of Aristotle's most famous writings is One the Polity of the Athens. The systematic treatises of Aristotle were grouped into five divisions which are logic, physical works, psychological works, works on human history, and philosophical works (Iep).
Aristotle's logical treatises aimed to develop universal reasoning by it which it could be possible to learn everything there is to know about reality (Kemerling). Three books written on logic by Aristotle are On Interpretation, Prior Analytics, and Posterior Analytics. In his writings, he states that four causes explain the reason for things. Even though Aristotle was a student of Plato he rejected the Platonic theory of forms. In his book On the Soul, Aristotle used the notion of a hylomorphic composite to provide a detailed account of the functions exhibited by living things (Kemerling). Aristotle believed that moral conduct contributes to a good life.

One of Aristotle's greatest achievements was the creation of the first systematic treatment of the principle of correct reason also referred to as logic. This system of logic is the basis of what today is called a syllogism. “No one before Aristotle, however, developed a systematic treatment of the principles governing correct inferences…”(Shields). Writers over 2300 years after Aristotle are still using the basic logical concepts developed by Aristotle. The ten logical categories utilized by Aristotle are substance, quantity, quality, relation, place, time, situation, condition, action, and passion (Iep). The most important of these factors is substance.
The term metaphysics was created in recognition of Aristotle’s first philosophy because it went beyond physical investigation. Metaphysics deals with the first principles of scientific knowledge and the ultimate conditions of all existence. The actual and potential can be viewed in terms of causes that affect things. Four types of causes affect things. These causes are material, efficient, formal, and final causes. Aristotle believed that God is the first of all substances. To Aristotle, the world is a formation of two extremes. These two extremes are formed without matter on one end, and matter without form on the other end (Iep). Physics cannot ignore the fundamental notions of motion, space, and time. According to Aristotle space is impossible. Space is the limit of the surrounding body. Time is a measure of motion regarding what is earlier and later (Iep). Space and time are divisible according to Aristotle.

Among the many disciplines to which Aristotle contributed includes the field of psychology. Aristotle defined the human soul as the perfect expression or realization of the natural body. The body and the soul of a person are unified. Touch is rudimentary of the five senses, while hearing is the most instructive (Iep). The human heart is the central sense organ that allows people to live. Imagination can be defined as the movement which results from an actual sensation. Memory can be defined as the permanent possession of a sensuous picture as a copy that represents the object of which it is a picture (Iep).
Reason deals with abstract and ideal aspects. According to Aristotle ethics is an attempt to find our chief end or common good (Iep). The chief outcome people desire is happiness. The state is a genuine moral organization that seeks to advance the development of society. Wealth is everything whose value can be measured in terms of a common currency such as the US dollar. Aristotle was a unique philosopher that battled to create knowledge in multiple disciplines. He was well coached as a young man due to his relationship with Plato. Aristotle is considered the father of logic. His writings are still being studied in hundreds of universities across the world. He was able to expand the knowledge base of the society in which he lived and of future generations. Aristotle was a born leader that revolutionized many academic disciplines. Read More