Aristotle's Life - Essay Example

As a philosophy student, Aristotle, at first, absorbed all he could from his teacher and mentor, but in maturing as a student and thinker, he began to break away from Plato’s ideas, especially his thoughts on the Theory of Forms, and shape opposite views than those of his teacher through exercising his own brain. At that juncture, Aristotle left Plato’s school and went off to have other adventures as a philosopher and teacher. Eventually, Aristotle moved to the court of Philip of Macedonia and became a teacher to Philip’s son, Alexander. Alexander would later become Alexander the Great, a military leader whose methods are still studied in military schools around the world. Aristotle’s influence on Alexander is evidenced by how he treated his enemies and conquered peoples. Aristotle taught Alexander until he assumed the role of king at the age of 18. In Aristotle’s lifetime, he wrote many major works, but only 31 survive currently (IEP). Aristotle’s influence is worldwide because his mind formed the basis of schools of philosophy for 2000 years and was used to reconcile church faith to education and logic.

Authors Roy Matthews, DeWitt Platt, and Thomas Noble state that Aristotle “had the most comprehensive mind of the ancient world. His curiosity and vast intellect led him into every major field of inquiry of his time, except mathematics and music” (Matthews, Platt, and Noble 74). Thus, Aristotle’s influence is wide. Schools of philosophy formed around Aristotle’s ideas. Matthews, Platt, and Noble suggest Aristotle’s influence on mankind is “immeasurable.” They state “In the middle ages, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish scholars study his writings, regarding them as containing authoritative teaching on the natural world. Today, Aristotelianism is embedded in the official theology of the Roman Catholic Church” (75). Having an effect on the theology of a church begs the question then, how much influence did Aristotle have on faith, rather than reason, and does this influence to water down Christianity? Does philosophy belong within religion, which is supposed to be based on faith alone?
During the dark ages, there were some areas of light. Rulers, who would try to educate some of their subjects, made this light. Two outstanding educator rulers were King Alfred of England and Charlemagne, King of the Franks. European education died out when these two rulers passed from the world scene, but later a teacher, Abelard, who was affiliated with the University of Paris, would again go to Aristotle’s restored works to try to reconcile the church dogma with a philosophy to end the rivalry between logic and faith. Aristotle was the bridge to achieve this peace.

His logic in deconstructing an argument still is a standard and elementary concept presented in any philosophy class. In Poetics, for example, Aristotle reasons the basic units of society and how they evolve into a state. He relates how man is a political being and gives advice about how humans need to live in a political state. These musings form some of the basis for Western thought and politics that Americans use. The Founding Fathers used works of philosophy such as those of Aristotle as well as those from the Enlightenment of the 1600s who were wrestling with science or reason over faith. The American founders put their faith in reason by separating church from state, as politics should not be faith-based but based on logic and rationality devoid of any faith whatsoever. However, the current political field in the U. S. seems to have forgotten these basic philosophical rules when appealing for votes.

Aristotle’s writings have influenced schools of philosophy for about 2000 years. His works have also made the bridge between faith and reason possible. His writings have influenced politics as well and are evidenced in the western intellect. Read More