#history #philosophy #aristotle Aristotle of Stagira was a Greek philosopher who developed the first systematic, scientific study in virtually every area of human knowledge. In his time, he was known famously as "The Philosopher" and needed no other qualification as his fame had spanned so widely. Prior to him, the concept of metaphysics did not exist; he created it when he published his book on metaphysical speculation after writing a book on physics. Plato was a student of Socrates and Aristotle studied under Plato. The student and teacher had a fundamental disagreement on Plato's philosophy – the insistence of a higher realm of Forms that made objective reality possible. Even though, some scholars claim this caused a rift between them, it didn't. Aristotle would develop on Plato's ideas in order to further his own creative thinking, despite the fact that he rejected Plato's Theory of Forms. Aristotle was born in 384 BCE in Stagira, Greece, on the border of Macedonia. Aristotle's father, Nichomachus, served as the court physician to the Macedonian king and passed away when Aristotle was just ten. Aristotle, as the son and nephew of palace staff, was most likely educated at the Macedonian court, but this is unconfirmed. Aristotle was 18 when he went to Athens to study at Plato's Academy. He stayed there for the next 20 years. He excelled as a student, graduating early and landing a job teaching rhetoric and dialogue at the university. After Plato's death, it appears that Aristotle intended to take over the Academy and seize control of it after Speusippus, Plato's nephew, was elected. He departed Athens to pursue research and experiment on his own in the Greek Archipelago islands. In 343 BCE, King Philip II of Macedon summoned Aristotle to teach his son Alexander. After seven years tutoring the prince, in 336 BCE Alexander became king and began his now-famous conquests. By 335 BCE, however, Aristotle had returned to Athens, and the two men continued to communicate through correspondence. The conqueror's mastery of difficult political issues throughout his career may be attributed to Aristotle's influence on him. Scholars believe that Alexander the Great's love of reading and carrying books with him on military campaigns was inspired by Aristotle. Furthermore, it is speculated that Aristotle also influenced Alexander's appreciation for art and culture. Alexander was encouraged to conquer the Persian empire by Aristode, who despised non-Greek "barbarians" and Persians in particular. As with most Greeks, Aristotle would have heard stories of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, the Persian Invasion of 480 BCE, and Greek victories at Salamis and Plataea. Considering the anti-Persian sentiments of his culture, it is unsurprising that he advocated for conquest. On top of this, Aristotle was philosophically pro-war because it offered a chance for excellence and the application of one's particular talent to complex, difficult problems. Aristotle claims that happiness is the main, natural goal for human life and all living beings, which can be achieved by having a good character and doing virtuous deeds. Moreover, by befriending honorable people who shared the same goal, an individual's integrity improved and skills sharpened. Also, campaigning gave numerous chances to individuals not only validate their own importance but also display heroic feats. Prior to the commencement of Alexander's campaign in 336 BCE, he would have inspired him with ideas like these. After coming back to Athens in 335 BCE, Aristotle established his own school, The Lyceum, which opposed Plato's Academy. Aristotle was a Teleologist, someone who believes in "end causes" and ultimate objectives in life, and held that everything and everyone on Earth has a function. Plato, who also talked about the origins and final purposes of things, considered them more idealistically and believed they could be known by understanding a higher, invisible plane of truth he called the `Realm of Forms'. The philosophy of Plato was founded on the Pythagorean mysticism of the Pre-Socratic philosopher and mystic Pythagoras, as established by his school, the Pythagorean School. Pythagoras believed that the soul is immortal and virtues are important. He thought there were many truths in life that everyone must know and follow to live a good life.