Aristotle - the founder of modern science
Introduction
Aristotle was a scientist who lived in Ancient Greece. He is often referred to as the founder of modern science. This chapter gives an overview of Aristotle's life and some of his works.
Time line
Aristotle lived in the era that today is referred to as 'Before Christ'. 'Before Christ' is usually abbreviated to 'BC'.
Anno Domini or 'AD' is Latin for 'In the year of our Lord'. The 'Year of our Lord' refers to the year of Christ's birth. For example, this is the year 2006 AD (2006 years after the birth of Christ).
Biography
Aristotle was born in 384 BC. When Aristotle was little he was taught by his father who was a doctor. At the age of 18, Aristotle went to Athens (capital of Greece) to attended Plato's school for young Greek aristocrats called the Academy. An academy is an educational institution devoted to a particular subject. Later, Aristotle became a tutor to Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great was a 4th century Macedonian king. After Alexander conquered Athens, Aristotle set up a school there, known as the Lyceum.
Alexander the Great was a keen supporter of Aristotle's ideas and works and often funded his scientific research. After the sudden death of Alexander, the government in Athens was overthrown. The new government of Athens was against anything that was connected to Alexander the Great or his friends and supporters. To escape prosecution Aristotle fled to a city called Chalcis where he died in 322 BC.
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Works
Science is the study of the natural world. In Aristotle's time science was still in its very early stages of development. It included the study of nature and philosophy. Philosophy can be defined as the study of truths about reality. Logic is a branch of philosophy. It is the study of the laws of thought and forms of argument. Aristotle wrote about 150 philosophical papers. Aristotle's writings on logic still influence Western philosophical theories. According to Aristotle, logic and reasoning were the main instruments of scientific research.
Based on observations of some natural events, mathematical calculations and logic, Aristotle proposed that the universe was a sphere with the Earth at the centre. He divided all natural substances into four main groups: earth, air, fire and water. Aristotle also proposed that the heavens moved naturally in a complex circular motion and were made of a fifth element called ether. Aristotle also believed that the universe had never had a beginning and would never end - it was eternal.
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