![]() ![]() It was Aristotle, for example, who stressed the importance of equality, noting that: "The only stable state is one in which all men are equal before the law." In our increasingly narcissistic world where the focus tends to be more on fame than service leadership, Aristotle also provides an important caution that: "At his best, man is the noblest of all animals separated from law and justice he is the worst." By that he meant that people tend to be either idealists like Plato, who look inward to the creations of the mind, or Aristotelians, who look outward to observe the detail of the world, breaking it down into categories and trying to figure out how humankind fits in.Īt a time when most countries, including China, are debating and working out the rule of law and the relationship between the individual and society, Aristotle's investigations remain relevant and timely. Alfred North Whitehead observed that: "The history of Western philosophy is no more than a series of footnotes to Plato's philosophy." Samuel Taylor Coleridge noted with some truth that everyone by temperament is either a Platonist or an Aristotelian. ![]() Mention should also be made of Aristotle's relationship to his teacher, Plato. Aristotle is celebrated as one of the first thinkers to systematize philosophy, science and math. The breadth of Aristotle's work is staggering - biology, zoology, astronomy, meteorology, ethics, logic, politics, art, philosophy, metaphysics, music, drama, rhetoric and poetics. While Alexander conquered physical empires, it is Aristotle who has the greater influence and relevance today, for his conquests were of the mind. The year 2016 has been announced by UNESCO as "Aristotle Anniversary Year," celebrating 2400 years since the birth of the great philosopher and scientist who was a pupil of Plato and a tutor to Alexander the Great. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |