Aristotle

Born 384 BC in northern Greece Father: physician to King of Macedon Arrived at Platos academy in 367 BC (17 yrs old). Socrates had been dead for 32 yrs; Plato was 61 yrs old; academy had existed for 19-20 yrs Stayed in Athens for 20 yrs. Not much known about his time at academy. Did he study with Plato? Not known. Aristotle makes no such claim.

 Early years:
enthusiastic Platonist Expressed yearning for death release of the immortal soul from the body
Soul pre-exists body, leads unnatural existence while in the body, and is released by death to return to its real existence

wrote in dialogue form not Socratic; long speeches . None of these has survived (some fragments)

Plato dies ca 348-347 BC and succeeded by others

Early case of academic politics?

 Aristotle leaves Athens for Asia Minor; away from Athens for 12 yrs
Studied, wrote, collected biological specimens Became part of the court of Hermius (Tyrant of Assus). Married Hermius niece/adopted daughter
Anecdote: spent honeymoon collecting seashells.

 A becomes Pan-Hellenist
I.e., Greece united against Persian Empire Invited to become part of court of Philip of Macedon and becomes Alexander (The Greats) tutor legend has it that Aristotle had much to do with Alexanders passion for spreading Greek ideals in his conquest of the East

Philip assassinated in 336 BC. Court in turmoil. Intrigue. Aristotle returns to Athens in 335 BC.

 During years away, Aristotle starts to think differently from Plato

Changed from Platonism to concern for empirical research
If data contradicted philosophical thinking, the thinking had to be modified. The data win.

Plato had been more of a mathematician/astronomer; Aristotle was more of a biologist. Different procedures:
Aristotle more interested in particulars Plato more interested in a priori concepts of fixed universal character A. criticized P. for separating form/matter and giving separate existence to universals. Universals merely category names.

 Aristotle denied dualism there is only one world, that of actual things. Forms may be real and may be studied, but in realm of philosophy, not science.
By giving independent existence to Forms, Plato had made it impossible to explain the character and changing nature of objects. Idea of 2 worlds is unnecessary duplication.

 Aristotles Lyceum
More scientific than philosophical Students did observational studies/prepared collections Students worked in groups, with related assignments -- A was powerful scientific organizer. Not only did his own research, but able to direct/stimulate scientific work among colleagues.

 Eventually became unpopular with strong nationalist party in Athens (suspicious bec. Of past assn. With Alexander)
Retired to mothers former country estate in Chacis (strong Macedonian influence). Died of stomach disorder at age 62 As will still exists. Left something for every relative and dependent, incl. Provision for emancipation of several of his slaves

 Aristotles major works

Early years more philosophical Later years (after return to Athens)more biological and psychological
Pioneer in biology
Research on structure & function was extensive.. More than anyone had done before Familiar with more than 500 animal species Dissected or investigated 50 in great detail

In Psychology
Master work: On the Soul (De Anima) plus books on senses, memory, sleep, dreams De Anima: first systematic treatise on psychology as a systematic sciencedeals with the functioning of the individual as a whole.

 Aristotles Aim
Sought knowledge. All kinds. Regardless of usefulness in other matters (one cant imagine Plato making this statement)
Man is only animal capable of acquiring knowledge

Still, various kinds of knowledge must be distinguished

Theoretical knowledge Practical knowledge Productive knowledge Pride of place given to theoretical knowledge (first philosophy, later known as metaphysics apparently for no greater reason than Aristotles lectures on this were placed by his editors so that they came after physics)

So.. What did Aristotle give us?

First functional view of mind
Sometimes he did treat it as substance, but generally treated it as moving toward some objective.
E.g., thinking understood in terms of that which is thought; desiring, in terms of what is desired, etc.

Advanced empirical point of view

Reconciled extreme rationalism with extreme empiricism.. Took mediating position. Knowledge gained through senses and reason.

 Laid groundwork for later conceptions of memory/thinking

Associative principles
Similarity Contrast Contiguity Frequency Emotional effect Degree of meaningfulness

All this still vary much part of modern psychology

 As teachings adopted by Church, esp. through Thomas Aquinas. Dominated until beginning of modern period.
His undoing:
Insistence on primacy of final cause over efficient cause resulted in overthrow during scientific revolution of 16th-17th centuries
Rear guard action fought by Leibnitz and Harvey in defense of teleology and purpose, but generally the doctrine disappeared.

 As you read Aristotle, cant help but notice the freshness and modernity of what he said
For the first time, we see a reasonably complete, rounded picture of psychology as a whole He was wrong in many of his facts, and omitted important topics, but the overall frame, with only few changes, bears a resemblance to modern psychology.

Aristotle was the first psychologist.