Aristotle lived from 384-322 B.C., and is universally considered as one of the great thinkers of the ancient world. He was born in the city of Stagira, in Macedonia. His father, Nichomacus, was the personal physician to the King of Macedonia, Amyntas; later, Aristotle would be tutor for a number of years to Amyntas' grandson: Alexander (later known as Alexander the Great).
In 367, at the age of 17, Aristotle left Stagira to attend school in Athens; he attended the Academy founded by Plato. The Academy had been set up by Plato as a continuing educational experience, the principles of which were later set out in Plato's major work, the Republic. Aristotle continued at the Academy until the death of Plato in 347, some twenty years. Aristotle was recognized as a brilliant if independent student of philosophy and hoped to succeed Plato as head of the Academy. When Speusippus, a nephew of Plato, was chosen instead, Aristotle left Athens.
From 347 until 343, Aristotle travelled in the Greek islands and in Asia Minor and lived on the island of Lesbos from 345 to 343. In 343 Aristotle accepted the invitation of Phillip, King of Macadenia (and son of Nichomacus who had previously employed Aristotle's father) to tutor his son Alexander. Though the two are reported to have been friends, Aristotle and Alexander had rather different ambitions: that of Aristotle was to establish a new school and a philosophical world view for the Greek world, that of Alexander was to conquer an empire.
In 323, Alexander the Great died while on campaign in the East; killed at age 32 either by a microbe or by poison. Anti-Macedonian sentiment gained the upper hand in Athens and the Assembly declared war against Alexander's successor, Antipon, and attempted to free Greek city states from Macedonian rule. Aristotle, as in 347, was perceived as an anti-Athenian, pro-Macedonian. Charges of "impeity" (disbelief in the established gods) were made against him; this was the same charge that had been levelled against Socrates in 399BC and ultimately led to his conviction and execution.
Aristotle is said to have declared that he would not let the Athenians "sin twice against philosophy", and to avoid Socrates fate, he left Athens. He went into voluntary exile in the city of Chalcis, accompanied by his companion Herpyllis, with whom he had lived after the death of his wife, and who was likely the mother of his son Nicomachus. Aristotle died of a digestive ailment the next year, 322 B.C., at the age of 63.
Aristotle lectured and directed his school, known as the Lyceum, for twelve years, producing during this time the treatises (or lecture notes) which now form his works. Aristotle's works encompassed all the major areas of thought: logic, science, metaphysics, ethics, and politics. He developed a new, non-Platonic theory of form, created a system of deductive reasoning for universal and existential statements, produced a theory of the cosmos, matter, life, and mind, and theorized about the relationship between ethics and politics and the nature of the good life. His system would rival that of Plato for allegiance for the next 2000 years.
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