Aristotle, a renowned philosopher from Northern Greece, is known for his vast contributions to the field of philosophy. However, little is known about his personal life and the reasons behind his departure from Athens.
After spending several years at Plato’s Academy, Aristotle left Athens and embarked on his own line of inquiry. But what prompted him to leave the city that was considered the intellectual hub of the ancient world?
In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind Aristotle’s departure from Athens and how it impacted his life and work. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of one of history’s greatest thinkers.
Why Did Aristotle Leave Athens
There are several theories as to why Aristotle left Athens. One of the most widely accepted reasons is that he left to pursue his own line of inquiry. After spending many years at Plato’s Academy, Aristotle had developed his own ideas and theories that he wanted to explore further.
Another possible reason for his departure was the political situation in Athens. After Alexander’s death, Athens rebelled against Macedonian rule, and Aristotle’s position as a Macedonian ally became precarious. To avoid being put to death, he may have fled to the island of Euboea, where he eventually passed away.
It is also possible that Aristotle left Athens due to personal reasons. He had lost his father at a young age and was brought up by a guardian. Perhaps he felt a need to explore the world and find his own path in life.
Regardless of the reason behind his departure, Aristotle’s legacy continued to influence Western philosophy for centuries to come. His teachings and ideas have shaped our understanding of logic, ethics, and science.
Aristotle’s Early Life And Education
Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in Stagira, a small town in northern Greece. His father, Nicomachus, was a physician and court physician to the Macedonian king Amyntas II. Aristotle’s early education was influenced by his father, who taught him about medicine and biology.
At the age of 17, Aristotle moved to Athens to study at Plato’s Academy. He studied there for 20 years, during which time he became one of Plato’s most promising students. However, after Plato’s death in 347 BCE, Aristotle left the Academy to pursue his own line of inquiry.
He traveled to the northwestern coast of present-day Turkey and lived there and on the island of Lésbos until 343 or 342 BCE, when King Philip II of Macedonia summoned him to act as tutor to Philip’s young teenage son, Alexander. Aristotle presumably lived somewhere in Macedonia until his (second) arrival in Athens in 335 BCE.
In Athens, Aristotle founded his own school, the Lyceum, which would become a rival to Plato’s Academy. Aristotle was a Teleologist, an individual who believes in `end causes’ and final purposes in life, and believed that everything and everyone in the world had a purpose for existing and, further, these final purposes could be ascertained from observation of the known world.
Aristotle’s Time At Plato’s Academy
Aristotle spent 20 years at Plato’s Academy in Athens as a pupil and colleague of Plato. During this time, he developed his own ideas and theories, which would later become the foundation of his own philosophical system. Many of Plato’s later dialogues were written during this period, and they may reflect Aristotle’s contributions to philosophical debate at the Academy.
Aristotle’s early writings show a strong Platonic influence, and he wrote initially in dialogue form. 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. According to Aristotle, the dead are more blessed and happier than the living, and to die is to return to one’s real home.
Another youthful work, the Protrepticus (“Exhortation”), has been reconstructed by modern scholars from quotations in various works from late antiquity. In this work, Aristotle claims that everyone must do philosophy because even arguing against the practice of philosophy is itself a form of philosophizing. The best form of philosophy is the contemplation of the universe of nature; it is for this purpose that God made human beings and gave them a godlike intellect. All else – strength, beauty, power, and honor – is worthless.
During his time at Plato’s Academy, Aristotle also wrote many treatises and dialogues for publication. However, only around a third of his original output has survived, none of it intended for publication. Despite this, his philosophy has exerted a unique influence on almost every form of knowledge in the West and continues to be a subject of contemporary philosophical discussion.
The Relationship Between Aristotle And Plato
Aristotle and Plato had a complex relationship during their time together at the Academy. While Aristotle was an exceptional student and respected Plato, there were fundamental differences in their philosophical views. Aristotle was more interested in empirical observation and scientific inquiry, while Plato focused on abstract concepts and the realm of ideas.
Despite these differences, Aristotle remained at the Academy for 20 years and even became a member of the faculty. It is believed that he thought he would take over the Academy after Plato’s death, but when that position was given to Plato’s nephew Speusippus, Aristotle left Athens to conduct experiments and study on his own in the islands of the Greek Archipelago.
While there is no evidence of any major conflicts between Aristotle and Plato, it is possible that their differing views may have caused some tension between them. Regardless, both philosophers made significant contributions to Western philosophy and continue to be studied and debated to this day.
Aristotle’s Life And Work After Leaving Athens
After leaving Athens, Aristotle spent several years traveling and teaching in different parts of Greece. He found refuge with Hermeas, ruler of Atarneus and Assos in Mysia, where he married the king’s niece Pythias. However, after Hermeas was attacked by the Persians, Aristotle left Mysia and headed to the island of Lesbos.
It was during this time that Aristotle began to develop his own ideas and theories. He wrote extensively on a wide range of topics, including biology, metaphysics, ethics, politics, and poetics. He also established his own school, the Lyceum, in Athens in 335 BC, where he spent most of the rest of his life studying, teaching and writing.
Aristotle’s teachings at the Lyceum were highly influential in the development of Western philosophy. His works were studied by medieval scholars such as Peter Abelard and John Buridan. His influence on logic continued well into the 19th century. In addition, his ethics gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics.
Despite his many contributions to philosophy and science, Aristotle’s life was not without controversy. He was criticized by some for his association with Macedonian rulers and for his views on slavery. However, his legacy remains a testament to his enduring impact on Western thought.
The Legacy Of Aristotle’s Departure From Athens.
Aristotle’s departure from Athens marked a significant turning point in the history of philosophy. As one of the most prolific and influential thinkers of his time, his absence left a void in the intellectual landscape of Athens. However, his departure also had a profound impact on the development of Western philosophy.
Aristotle’s departure from Athens allowed him to pursue his own line of inquiry and develop his own ideas and theories. This led to the production of many of his hundreds of books on papyrus scrolls, which provided a complex synthesis of the various philosophies existing prior to him. His works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, and were studied by medieval scholars such as Peter Abelard and John Buridan. Aristotle’s influence on logic continued well into the 19th century.
Furthermore, Aristotle’s legacy continued to shape medieval scholarship, influencing Judeo-Islamic philosophies during the Middle Ages, as well as Christian theology, especially the Neoplatonism of the Early Church and the scholastic tradition of the Catholic Church. He was revered among medieval Muslim scholars as “The First Teacher”, and among medieval Christians like Thomas Aquinas as simply “The Philosopher”.
Aristotle’s departure from Athens also had an impact on the political landscape of ancient Greece. His ties with Alexander and his court made him a target for anti-Macedonian sentiment in Athens. By leaving Athens, he was able to avoid potential persecution and continue his work in a safer environment.
In conclusion, Aristotle’s departure from Athens was a pivotal moment in the history of philosophy. It allowed him to pursue his own line of inquiry and develop his own ideas and theories, which have had a lasting impact on Western philosophy. His legacy continues to shape our understanding of logic, ethics, and science, making him one of the most important thinkers in human history.
