Aristotle was a busy man. He thought, he taught, he founded schools, ruled a kingdom, and wrote. He wrote on nearly everything, from dreams to politics. Aristotle though had a real passion for science of all kinds. His writings on science were the only ones of their kind at the time. Especially in the area of physics, Aristotle was considered the sole authority by all.

Aristotle was born among royalty. His father served as physician to Amentias III, grandfather of Alexander the Great. Unfortunately, Aristotle’s father died before he could teach his trade to his son, in ancient Greece even a person with limited knowledge of medicine was valued. An uncle took care of Aristotle and his mother and later paid for Aristotle to be sent to Athens to study at Plato’s famous school. Plato was the disciple of the late philosopher Socrates. The young transplanted Macedonian must have liked school since he stayed there for twenty years.

After Plato died, Aristotle left. Some have said he left because he was disappointed that Plato’s nephew was placed at the head of the school and not himself. But even if that was true it was against the code of the school that non-Athenians could not hold the position as headmaster. Aristotle moved to Assus were the city’s ruler, Hermius, commissioned him to build a school to further the spreading of Greek thought and philosophy. Hermius married his niece to Aristotle as a sign of friendship. After being married Aristotle wrote, “…let it be found disgraceful for any man or woman to be unfaithful once they are married…” His will and other personal documents show that he was a good kind man to his family and friends.

In 342 BC Aristotle found himself back in the Macedonian court, tutoring thirteen year old Alexander the not-yet-Great. Two years later Philip, Alexander’s father left for war, Aristotle is given the title of regent and tutor. Judging court decisions and teaching a teenager to grow up into his heritage was all in a day’s work for him.

Alexander became king in 336 BC and the promptly left his kingdom to earn his title “the Great.” He held a soft spot in his heart for his teacher. The Great-full pupil sent Aristotle a menagerie of exotic animals and plants from around the world. Unfortunately, a bit of bad blood arose between teacher and student when Aristotle’s nephew, who was acting as historian and recorder for Alexander’s army, was executed for plotting against his monarch.

Aristotle returned to Athens to visit his old alma mater. While he was in the city, Alexander the Great died, and an outbreak of anti-Macedonian sentient drove Aristotle to seek quieter pastures. As he ran it was rumored he ran to save Athens from sinning against philosophy twice (he credited Socrates with being the first victim).

He spent the remainder of his life at his new school just outside of Athens. He spent that time finishing his writings. Aristotle had found time in his busy life to study physics, biology, politics, and the human soul. He is called the first metaphysicist. Metaphysics is the next level of physics. If physics studies the rules of the earth and nature then metaphysics is examining why those rules are so and usually delves into more abstract subjects. When he died, he asked to be buried next to his wife. Not the kind of person you would expect to condemn people from beyond the grave.

Well through the years Aristotle’s statements and findings in the realm of science were taken without question. If Aristotle said it, it was true without question. The earth was flat, because Aristotle said so; the universe was geocentric, because Aristotle said so. Woe to those who dare cross the sayings and teachings of the mighty Aristotle! His books were given a place of honor in the beliefs of men during the middle ages, right underneath the space reserved for the Word of God. Even Roman Catholicism's great theologian, Thomas Aquinas, relied on Aristotle's philosophies. When men, like Galileo, began to question the validity of some of Aristotle’s scientific theories, they were branded heretics.

Sources:
Aristotle. Complete Works Part 1. Vol. 16 of The Great Books of Western Literature.
Ross, W. D. Chicago: : Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. 1952

L.M.P. "Aristotelianism." Britannica. 15 Ed. 1995. 55-71.

Osborne, Richard. Philosophy for Beginners. New
York, NY: Writers and Readers Publishing, 1992.