When we think of ancient philosophers, Aristotle is often one of the first names that comes to mind. His ideas and teachings have influenced Western thought for centuries, but have you ever wondered when he actually wrote his works?
It turns out that Aristotle’s most prolific period of writing was during a specific time in Athens, between 335 and 323 BC. During this time, he composed many dialogues, although only fragments of them have survived.
But why does this matter? Well, understanding when Aristotle wrote can give us insight into the context and development of his ideas, as well as shed light on the lasting impact of his work.
So let’s dive into the world of ancient Athens and explore when Aristotle put pen to paper.
When Did Aristotle Write
As mentioned earlier, Aristotle’s most productive period of writing was between 335 and 323 BC. This was a time of great intellectual and cultural flourishing in Athens, with philosophers, scientists, and artists all contributing to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
During this time, Aristotle wrote many dialogues, which were likely intended for use in his teaching at the Lyceum. Unfortunately, only fragments of these dialogues have survived, making it difficult to fully understand the scope of his work during this period.
However, we do know that Aristotle’s thought during this time was original, profound, wide-ranging, and systematic. His ideas eventually became the intellectual framework of Western Scholasticism, which was the system of philosophical assumptions and problems characteristic of philosophy in western Europe during the Middle Ages.
In fact, in the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas undertook to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy and science with Christian dogma. Through him, the theology and intellectual worldview of the Roman Catholic Church became Aristotelian.
Since then, Aristotle’s thought has continued to inspire and influence various fields of contemporary philosophy. His ethics has inspired the field of virtue theory, which emphasizes human well-being and the development of character. His ideas also constitute an important current in other fields of contemporary philosophy, especially metaphysics, political philosophy, and the philosophy of science.
Aristotle’s Early Life And Education
Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in the city of Stagira, located in northern Greece. His father, Nicomachus, was the personal physician to King Amyntas of Macedonia. Unfortunately, Nicomachus died when Aristotle was still young, and he was brought up by a guardian.
At age 17, Aristotle moved to Athens to complete his education at the Academy, which was founded by Socrates’ pupil Plato. Aristotle stayed at the Academy for 20 years as Plato’s pupil and colleague. During this time, he contributed to philosophical debates at the Academy and wrote many dialogues, which mostly survived only in fragments.
Aristotle’s early ideas were heavily influenced by Platonic philosophy, and his early works reflected this influence. For example, his dialogue Eudemus reflects the Platonic view of the soul as imprisoned in the body and as capable of a happier life only when the body has been left behind.
Despite his impressive reputation, Aristotle often disagreed with Plato’s ideas. When a successor to Plato was selected after his death in 347 BC, Aristotle was passed over in favor of Plato’s nephew Speusippus. With no future at the Academy, Aristotle left Athens and joined the court of Hermeas, ruler of Atarneus and Assos in Mysia.
Aristotle remained in Mysia for three years and married the king’s niece Pythias. However, when Hermeas was attacked by the Persians at the end of the three years, Aristotle left the country and headed to the island of Lesbos.
Aristotle’s Time In Athens
Aristotle’s time in Athens was a crucial period in his life and career. After the death of his father, he was sent to Athens at the age of 17 to pursue higher education. At that time, Athens was considered the academic center of the universe, and Aristotle enrolled in Plato’s Academy, where he proved to be an exemplary scholar.
Aristotle maintained a relationship with Plato and his academy for two decades, during which time he wrote many of his works. It is believed that Aristotle’s most productive period of writing was between 335 and 323 BC, during which time he wrote many dialogues intended for use in his teaching at the Lyceum.
During this period, Athens was experiencing a great intellectual and cultural flourishing, with philosophers, scientists, and artists all contributing to the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Aristotle’s thought during this time was original, profound, wide-ranging, and systematic. His ideas eventually became the intellectual framework of Western Scholasticism.
It is also worth noting that Aristotle’s most famous teacher was Plato, who himself had been a student of Socrates. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle remain among the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy. Aristotle’s most famous student was Philip II’s son Alexander, later to be known as Alexander the Great.
The Prolific Period Of Writing
The prolific period of writing for Aristotle was a time of great productivity and creativity. During this period, he wrote many dialogues and treatises on a wide range of topics, including logic, physics, biology, psychology, mathematics, metaphysics, ethics, and politics.
Despite the fact that only fragments of his dialogues have survived, the surviving works from this period are considered to be some of the earliest complete philosophical treatises in existence. These works were in the form of lecture notes and draft manuscripts that were never intended for general readership.
Aristotle’s emphasis on good reasoning served as the backdrop for his other investigations during this period. He combined logic with observation to make general, causal claims in his natural philosophy. In his biology, he used the concept of species to make empirical claims about the functions and behavior of individual animals.
In addition to his natural scientific work, Aristotle also explored metaphysics, ethics, and politics during this period. He claimed that there must be a separate and unchanging being that is the source of all other beings in his metaphysical works. In his ethics, he held that becoming excellent was the key to achieving eudaimonia or a sort of happiness that constituted the best kind of human life.
Aristotle’s works from this period exerted tremendous influence on ancient and medieval thought and continue to inspire philosophers to this day. His contributions to philosophy and science during this time were original, profound, wide-ranging, and systematic.
The Lost Dialogues
One of the greatest losses to Aristotle’s legacy is the absence of many of his dialogues. Like many of his contemporaries, Aristotle wrote in the form of dialogues, which were conversations between two or more characters that explored philosophical ideas and concepts.
Unfortunately, most of these dialogues have been lost to history, leaving only fragments and references in other works. However, there is evidence that some of these dialogues were highly influential in their time, and may have contributed significantly to the development of Aristotelian thought.
One such dialogue is the Protrepticus, which was likely written as a Socratic dialogue in a similar format to the works of Plato. Though its exact content is unknown, it is believed to have been a persuasive work that encouraged readers to adopt a philosophical way of life.
Another lost work, Cicero’s Hortensius, was allegedly modeled after the Protrepticus. As the Hortensius was known to be written as a dialogue, it is likely that the Protrepticus was one too.
Despite the loss of these dialogues, their influence can still be felt in Aristotelian philosophy today. Their absence serves as a reminder of the fragility of intellectual history and the importance of preserving knowledge for future generations.
Aristotle’s Legacy And Influence On Western Thought
Aristotle’s legacy and influence on Western thought cannot be overstated. He is considered one of the greatest intellectual figures of Western history, and his ideas have had a profound impact on philosophy, science, and even business.
Aristotle’s thought eventually became the intellectual framework of Western Scholasticism, which dominated philosophy in western Europe during the Middle Ages. This system of philosophical assumptions and problems was based on Aristotelian philosophy and science, and it influenced Christian theology and intellectual worldview.
In the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas undertook to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy and science with Christian dogma. Through him, the theology and intellectual worldview of the Roman Catholic Church became Aristotelian.
Aristotle’s influence continued to be felt in subsequent centuries. His ethics has inspired the field of virtue theory, which emphasizes human well-being and the development of character. His ideas also constitute an important current in other fields of contemporary philosophy, especially metaphysics, political philosophy, and the philosophy of science.
Aristotle’s theories impacted the medieval church and continue to have significance today. His syllogism is at the basis of deductive reasoning, arguably the most common form of reasoning used today. His contributions to natural philosophy (natural history) and metaphysics continue to inspire scientists and philosophers alike. He also made significant contributions to ethics, war, economics, rhetoric, poetry, and theater.
Overall, Aristotle’s legacy and influence on Western thought are immeasurable. His ideas have shaped our understanding of the world and ourselves, and his contributions continue to be studied and debated by scholars around the world.
