ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY

ARISTOTLE: The Greatest Ancient Philosopher

INTRODUCTION

Aristotle is perhaps the greatest philosopher that ever walked on Earth.

He was a great and vast thinker, recognized as the founder of many
disciplines, which includes metaphysics, logic, mathematics, psychology,
natural history, physics, ethics, politics and art (poetics and rhetoric). He was
an innovator during his time, far exceeding the works of other great
philosophers such as Socrates and Plato. His contributions have arguebly been
more influential, particularly in the field of science and logical reasoning. He
influenced the likes of Alexander the Great, Copernicus, Galileo and other
western philosophers. He is the “master of those who know”.

DISCUSSION

Aristotle’s works- more than Plato’s – laid the groundwork for the
systematic development of Philosophy and the basic framework for the
understanding of nature.

On rhetoric

Aristotle emphasized “REALISM” and spoke strongly against radical

Platonic Idealism by noting that we do not live in the perfect world which
Plato sought to establish.
On Logic

One of the most essential tasks that Aristotle set to himself was to give
proper understanding of the structure of rational thought as an essential
preparation to more rigorous and systematic thinking, and to the
iunderstanding of political issues. Aristotle used the term “LOGIC”, in a sense
equivalent to verbal reasoning – the Organon was a prerequisite for all
rational inquiry. A central part of Aristotle’s work was DEDUCTIVE arguments
and SYLLOGISMS

Biology

His works in biology lead to a system for classifying animals. He studied

anatomy and physiology and was familiar with more than 500 animal species.
His works also effected the theory of evolution.

Politics

His thesis on politics was that “the human beings are nature political
animals, who naturally want to live together. This was his theory behind the
reason why city-states and political government came into being. His thesis
gave a physiological reasoning for one distinct ruler. So no longer could
leaders claim religious status but natural instinct status as well.
Psychology

His mater work De Anima was the first systenmatic treatise in

psychology as a systematic science. It deals with the functioning of the
individual as a whole.

Metaphysics

His contribution in geology is his idea of a SUBLUNAR WORLD consiting

of fourmajor elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. He identified The Four
Causes as the explanation for anything.

Physics

Aristotle also theorized some concepts in physics including his theory

on “Forced Motion” which states that objects on Earth are not always in their
natural place, or they only have natural motion.

Poetics

Aristotle’s Poetics is not only the most important critical work for
classical antiquity. It is also perhaps the most influential work in the entire
history of criticism. In so far as it is an answer to Plato, Aristotle’s Poetics
justifies poetry on 2 grounds: the truth and validity of poetry as an imitation
of nature or as a form of knowldege and secondly, the morally desirable effect
of this awareness upon the human mind.
CONCLUSION

Without doubt, Aristotle was a genius of immense acuity and creative

originality. He took the study of natural philosophy even further than Plato
and Socrates. Up to the 17th century, Aristotle was the main authority on
almost everyhting outside of religion. In my opinion, he is the greatest ancient
philosopher because of his contributions in various disciplines and his
influence on other philosophers. He is a master-thinker, and his flexibility and
multiple-intelligence has inspired many, even considering him, the
“Philosopher of all philosophers”.

REFERENCES
1. Oregon state.edu/instruct201/modules/phliosphers/aristotle/html

2. www.diffen.com/ aristotle vs plato

3. www. Educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev..html

4. greece.mrdonn.org/aristotle.html

5. aristotle’s social&politicalphilosophy.pdf

6. aristotle and poetics.pdf

CRITIQUE
PAPER
ON
ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY

“ARISTOTLE: THE GREATEST ANCIENT

PHILOSOPHER”

JESSIE B. MONTES JR.

FELIX A. AFABLE
Instructor