Aristotle is said to have composed some four hundred books. Our astonishment at this productivity diminishes somewhat when we remember that what is here called a “book” is much the same as what we should call a chapter in a modern treatise. More than three-quarters of these writings have been lost. But, by good fortune, what remains to us is undoubtedly by far the most important part, and we have preserved in it a fairly complete account of the whole Aristotelian system in all its departments. Nearly all the writings, however, have come down to us in a mutilated state. This is especially the case with the “Metaphysics.”
Aristotle written works
This treatise is unfinished, and it was probably left unfinished by its author at his death. But apart from this, several of the books of the “Metaphysics” are undoubtedly spurious. Others apparently come in the wrong order. We end one book in the middle of a discussion, and when we begin the next we find ourselves in the middle of an entirely different subject. There are frequent repetitions, and parts of it read as if they were mere lecture notes. There are many interpolations. The same characteristics are to be observed in Aristotle’s other writings, though in a less degree.
It seems probable that they were not intended, in their present state, for publication. Final revision and finishing touches are lacking. In spite of these defects, the writings are voluminous and clear enough to enable us to trace out the whole of the main positions of Aristotle’s thought.
The whole of his writings, or rather those that have come down to us, seem to have been written during his last thirteen years, while he was at Athens, that is to say, after he had passed his fiftieth year. His system was then complete, mature, and fully developed. The question of the order in which they were written has no great importance. The result of critical investigations, however, is to show that he probably began with the various works upon logic, composed next the treatises upon physical science, next the ethical and political books, and lastly the “Metaphysics,” which he left unfinished.
It must not be forgotten that Aristotle was not only a philosopher in the modern restricted sense of that term. He was a man of universal learning. There is no branch of knowledge which did not receive his attention, and upon which he was not the greatest expert of his time, except perhaps mathematics. So far was he from being only an abstract philosopher, that his natural tastes seem to have lain rather in the field of physical science than of abstract thought. But his design seems to have been to work over the entire field of knowledge, thoroughly to overhaul the sciences already in existence, rejecting what seemed false in the work of his predecessors, and invariably adding to the residue valuable developments and suggestions of his own.
Aristotle contribute to science
Where there was no science already in existence, his plan involved the foundation of new sciences wherever necessary, and he thus became the founder of at least two sciences, Logic and Zoology. He thus attained to a preeminence in all branches of knowledge which would be impossible for a single man in modern times. His works include treatises upon Logic and Metaphysics, upon Ethics, Politics, and Art. He wrote a treatise upon the principles of Rhetoric, another upon Astronomy, under the title “On the Heavens,” another upon Meteorology. Several of his treatises deal with the biology of animal life, in which he was intensely interested. They include books entitled “On the Parts of Animals,” “On the Movements of Animals,” “On the Origin of Animals,” as well as his great treatise, “Researches on Animals,” which contains an enormous mass of facts collected from every possible source.
It is true that a large proportion of these facts have turned out to be fictions, but this was inevitable in the infancy of science. It has been calculated that Aristotle shows himself acquainted with about five hundred different species of living beings, though they are not, of course, classified by him in the modern way. With these books upon animals he founded the science of Zoology, for no one before his day had made any special study of the subject.
Aristotle style of writing
First he created the logical system then he applied this system on all subjects. His logical system is called ORGHNON.
if you want to understands Aristotle's philosophy, you must first study his logic.
First Aristotle started with Endoxa means (literature review) First he read every philosopher of philosophy then he gave his opinion. second Dialectics ( oppositional views) means main opposition thought, main debate, which philosopher what said and where he stop. This two method he used and all knowledge carried him through his logical system.
He divided science into three categories.
1. The theoretical science include prominently what Aristotle calls first philosophy, or metaphysics. example mathematic and physics, or natural philosophy. In today's language we call theoretical science as natural science.
2. Practical science : Both political and ethics fall under this branch. Example - Nicomachean ethics. In today's language we call Practical science as social science.
3. The productive science are mainly crafts aimed at the production of artifacts or of human production. example - ship-building, agriculture and medicine but also the arts of music, theatre and dance. Rhetoric, which treats the principle of speech-making appropriate to various forensic and persuasive settings, including centrally political assemblies.
As this shows, Aristotle was systematic in his intention to achieve an encyclopaedic science. It ranged from the most fundamental questions about the nature of reality itself (in his Metaphysics) through his scientific enquiries as just noted, to his psychological studies of human beings (in his On the Soul and Short Treatises on Nature), to art and literature (included in his account of ‘productive sciences’ in his Poetics and Rhetoric), to matters of ethics and politics (in the Nicomachean Ethics, Eudemian Ethics and Politics). And alongside this great scheme lay his seminal studies of logic and reasoning; he created the science of logic almost from scratch, in the six books known as the Categories, On Interpretation, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics, Topics and Sophistical Refutations.
Aristotle theory
Aristotle has so much respect in the world. He has changed thinking way. In physics Aristotle ruled till Newton. Aristotle's thinking dominated for 200 years. We can say that until the Renaissance, Aristotle's thinking dominated.
''The great Alexander conquered the whole world but Aristotle ruled the world of thought.''
Questions about Aristotle
what did Aristotle believe
Aristotle believed in looking at the real world and studying it. Aristotle spent many years teaching in Athens, which was under the control of Macedon. When Alexander the Great died, however, anti-Macedonians took control of Athens.
What is Aristotle full name
Aristotle's full name was Aristoteles or Greek Aristoteles
Aristotle father of logic and science
Rationality Aristotle was definite knowledge. It pained him to see poetic metaphors substituted for rational explanation.
What is Aristotle best known for?
Aristotle is known for his work and teaching , Physics, Metaphysics, Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, On the Soul and Poetics. Aristotle studied and made significant contributions to "logic, metaphysics, mathematics, physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, dance, and theatre."
What did Aristotle contribute to philosophy
Aristotle contribution - social Science, political science, Ethics, natural philosophy, science, physics, biology, zoology, botany, metaphysics, science, ontology, Epistemology, logic, music, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, cosmology, history of philosophy, psychology, theology, rhetoric, political, history, government theory, poetry, art, theatre.
What Are Aristotle's Main Ideas?
Aristotle's main ideas revolve around the concepts of causation, the four causes of motion and change, difference between matter and form, unity of matter and form, dualism versus monism, and preferential option for the mean. He believed that everything had a purpose or telos and that all phenomena could be explained by identifying its cause. He espoused a belief in an ‘unmoved mover’ which he also referred to as “Prime Mover” to explain how the universe could keep moving without anything actually causing it to do so. His theory on forms argued that every single thing has two aspects – the form and matter - each of which contributes to its structure while still remaining distinct entities.
Aristotle and women
Aristotle had negative thoughts for women and slaves. Aristotle said for women ,''Women is an unfinished man.'' '' Man was the sower and woman the soil. Children inherit only male characteristics.'' ''The male is by nature superior.'' Aristotle had used many abusive words for women. ''The courage of a man is seen in commanding and that of women in obeying.''
But Aristotle one thing good said for women, '' A society cannot be happy unless women are happy.''
Aristotle and slavery
Aristotle referred to slaves as '' tools with a voice.''
Men by nature were divided into two groups. Those who were rulers by nature and those who submitted by nature. Aristotle considered slavery to be good for the society. Aristotle never wrote against slavery and never gave value and authority.
Aristotle one of the great thinker (Philosopher) in the world.