In Aristotle in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern challenges the conventional wisdom of the philosopher, who is often seen as remote, inaccessible, and aloof. Instead, Strathern argues that Aristotle is a very human thinker, full of passion and anger, who was shaped by his environment.argues that Aristotle is the cornerstone of modern philosophy. Strathern’s book is an easy read and provides a great overview of Aristotle’s work and how it has shaped Western thought. This is a great introduction to Aristotle for someone who is looking to start their philosophical journey.
Strathern argues that many of the most famous ideas in Western philosophy can be traced back to the Presocratics, a group of thinkers who lived from around 500-300 BC. Aristotle was a great thinker in his own right, but he built on the work of the Presocratics and laid the groundwork for later philosophers like Plato and Kant.
Biography
The first part of the book provides a biography of Aristotle, which helps put his ideas in context. Aristotle was born in 384 BC in the city of Stagira, on the coast of Macedonia. His father was a doctor, and Aristotle was educated in medicine before he turned to philosophy. He studied under Plato at the Academy in Athens, and then he spent time traveling and teaching in Asia Minor. Asia minor is a greek name for modern day Turkey.
Aristotle returned to Macedonia after the death of Plato, and he became a tutor to Alexander the Great. After Alexander’s death, Aristotle returned to Athens and founded his own school, the Lyceum. Aristotle’s most famous students were the philosopher Xenocrates and the historian Theophrastus.
Major Works
Strathern argues that Aristotle’s philosophy can be divided into three main areas: Ethics, Logic, and Metaphysics.
In Ethics, Aristotle focuses on how we should live our lives and what is the most moral way to go about things. He argues that there is a hierarchy of goods, and that the most important thing is to live a virtuous life. What is a virtuous life exactly? For Aristotle, the virtuous life is one in which we achieve our goals without harming others. We should strive for justice, friendship, and courage, and we should live our lives in a way that is consistent with these virtues. It is important to remember that Aristotle was a thinker who was focused on practical matters. He wasn’t interested in abstract ideas or theories, he wanted to know how to live a good life.
In Logic, Aristotle explores how we reason and how we should use our logic. He argues that we should use our reason to explore the world around us, and to make judgments about the world. For example, we should use our logic to figure out what is good and bad, and what is true and false. He argues that there are three types of logic: dialectic, poetic, and scientific. And he argues that each type of logic has its own strengths and weaknesses. He also argues that there different types of reasoning: inductive, deductive, and abductive.
Dialectic logic is the most common type of logic. It is the kind of logic that we use in everyday life. For example, when we have a discussion with someone, we are using dialectic logic. We are trying to figure out what is true and what is false, and we are using our reason to do so. Poetic logic is a bit different. It is the kind of logic that we use when we are trying to understand something that is beautiful or mysterious. For example, when we read a poem, we are using poetic logic. We are trying to understand the beauty of the poem, and to make judgments about it. We are not necessarily looking for the truth, but for understanding.
It is the kind of logic that we use when we are creative, when we are making art or music. We are not trying to figure out what is true or false, we are just trying to create something beautiful. Scientific logic is the kind of logic that we use when we are doing science. We are trying to figure out how the world works, and we are using our reason to do so.
As for the different types of reasoning. Inductive reasoning is the kind of reasoning that we use when we are trying to figure out things for the first time. For example, we might go out and experiment to see if something is true or false. We might also use inductive reasoning when we are trying to figure out how things work. For example, we might use inductive reasoning to figure out how the world works.
Deductive reasoning is a bit different. In deductive reasoning, we start with a general idea, and then we use our logic to figure out if it is true or false. For example, we might start with the idea that all dogs are animals. Then, we might use our logic to deduce that all animals are dogs.
Abductive reasoning is a bit different from both inductive and deductive reasoning. In abductive reasoning, we start with a general idea, and then we try to figure out what is the best explanation for it. For example, we might start with the idea that all dogs are animals. Then, we might try to figure out what is the best explanation for why all animals are dogs.
In Metaphysics, Aristotle looks at the nature of things, including the existence of gods and the soul. He also discusses the nature of time and how it works. These are complex topics, and Aristotle provides a lot of depth for readers to explore.
In Metaphysics, Aristotle looks at the world as it is, outside of our perceptions and ideas. He asks questions like what is a thing?
In his work, Aristotle argued that there are three types of knowledge: theoretical, practical, and contemplative. Theoretical knowledge is knowledge about the objects of the world, such as mathematics and physics. Practical knowledge is knowledge about how to live a good life, such as knowing how to make a good decision or how to run a business. Contemplative knowledge is knowledge about the nature of the world, such as understanding the principle of cause and effect.
Aristotle’s philosophy is characterized by a number of important ideas, including the concept of teleology. Teleology is the idea that things have a goal or purpose, even if we can’t see it. For example, the universe has a goal of creating humans, and humans have a goal of flourishing and being happy. Aristotle also believed that nature is governed by natural laws, and that humans can understand these laws through reason.
Aristotle’s most famous works include the Nicomachean Ethics, the Politics, and the Metaphysics. All of these books are incredibly dense, and it can be challenging to understand them without a strong background in philosophy. However, there are great guides such as this that will make your experience easier.
After he died in 322 BC, Aristotle’s work was preserved and continued to be studied by his students and followers. His ideas had a great impact on later philosophers, and he is still considered one of the greatest thinkers in history. He is also often considered the founder of modern philosophy. Aristotle’s work has had a significant impact on both philosophy and science, and he is still an important figure in both disciplines.
Aristotle’s work has been preserved and studied by his students and followers, and his ideas have had a great impact on later philosophers. His work on ethics, politics, and metaphysics is still considered some of the best in history.