Aristotle & Philosophy
By: Josie Pooler & Addie Baker
Background Information
- 384-322 BCE in Stagira, Greece
- He studied under Plato
- He spent most of his life working as a teacher, researcher, & Writer
Philosophies
- Aristotle made contributions to logic, metaphysics, math, physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, dance, & theater
- He taught that theory must follow fact
- Human beings should aim for a life of conformity and rationality
Notable Works
- Prior Analytics
- Posterior Analytics
- Categories
- On Interpretatione
Significance in Debate
Aristotle is the origin of logic and created many laws and skills regarding logic and argumentation. He created the Law of Non-Contradiction and the Law of Excluded Middle. He also wrote the Organon which is a collection of his most notable works. In addition, he made great advances in the area of metaphysics and syllogism.
Opposing views
- Plato- Aristotle was more of a realist than Plato and eventually came up with his own theories and rejected those of his former tutor
- John Stuart Mill- describes happiness as the absence of pain and the actions of a person while Aristotle thought that happiness had to do with being virtuous and excellent