Aristotle (384–322 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath whose extensive writings encompassed various subjects, including natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts. He founded the Peripatetic school of philosophy at the Lyceum in Athens, establishing a tradition that laid the groundwork for modern science.Born in Stagira, northern Greece, Aristotle was the son of Nicomachus, a physician to King Amyntas of Macedon. After the death of his parents, he was raised by a guardian. At approximately eighteen, he joined Plato's Academy in Athens, where he studied for nearly twenty years. Following Plato's death around 347 BCE, Aristotle left the Academy, possibly due to dissatisfaction with its new leadership or prevailing anti-Macedonian sentiments. He then tutored Alexander the Great at the request of Philip II of Macedon, beginning around 343 BCE. During this period, he established a library at the Lyceum, which facilitated his prolific writing.Although Aristotle authored numerous treatises and dialogues, only about a third of his works have survived, primarily in the form of lecture notes rather than published texts. His teachings synthesized earlier philosophical ideas and significantly influenced medieval scholarship, shaping both Judeo-Islamic and Christian thought. His works on logic, particularly the Organon, established foundational principles that dominated Western logic until the 19th century. Aristotle's contributions to ethics, particularly virtue ethics, gained renewed interest in modern times.Aristotle's life is not well-documented, with most biographical accounts being speculative. He was born in 384 BCE and likely spent part of his youth in the Macedonian capital, where he formed connections with the royal family. After leaving Plato's Academy, he spent time in Assos and Lesbos, conducting research in biology and botany. He married Pythias, the adoptive daughter of Hermias, and had a daughter named Pythias.In 343/42 BCE, Aristotle returned to Macedon to tutor Alexander, teaching him various subjects, including ethics and politics. His relationship with Alexander was complex, as they later diverged in their views on governance and the treatment of conquered peoples. After Alexander's death in 323 BCE, anti-Macedonian sentiment in Athens resurfaced, leading to Aristotle's denunciation for impiety in 322 BCE. He fled to Chalcis, where he died later that year.Aristotle's philosophical contributions are vast, covering logic, metaphysics, natural philosophy, biology, ethics, and politics. He introduced the concept of syllogism in logic and distinguished between different types of causes in his natural philosophy. His empirical studies in biology laid the foundation for future scientific inquiry, and he classified living organisms based on their characteristics. In ethics, he emphasized the importance of virtue and the role of reason in achieving eudaimonia, or human flourishing.Aristotle's political philosophy viewed the city-state as a natural community, prioritizing the collective good over individual interests. He argued for a mixed government that incorporated elements of democracy and oligarchy. His works on rhetoric and poetics explored the nature of persuasion and artistic expression, respectively, establishing principles that continue to influence these fields today.Aristotle's legacy is profound, with his ideas permeating various domains of knowledge. His influence extended through the Hellenistic period, the Roman Empire, and into the medieval Islamic and Christian worlds. His works were translated and commented upon extensively, shaping philosophical discourse for centuries. Despite later critiques and the evolution of scientific thought, Aristotle's contributions remain foundational in many areas of study.