Aristotle explained to kids
Aristotle was a famous Greek philosopher who lived from 384 BC to 322 BC. He was a student of Plato and later taught Alexander the Great. Aristotle wrote about many subjects, including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theater, music, rhetoric, politics, government, and agriculture. He was one of the most influential people in the history of Western thought.
Aristotle was born in the city of Stagira in Macedonia, Greece. His father, Nicomachus, was the court physician to King Amyntas of Macedon. When Aristotle was about 17 years old, he went to Athens to study at Plato's Academy. He stayed there for about 20 years, until Plato's death in 347 BC.
After Plato's death, Aristotle left Athens and traveled to Assus in Asia Minor, where he was invited by Hermias, the ruler of the city, to be his personal philosopher. Hermias was assassinated, and Aristotle then went to Pella, the capital of Macedon, where he became the tutor to Alexander the Great.
In 323 BC, Aristotle returned to Athens and founded his own school, the Lyceum. He taught there for the rest of his life. Aristotle died in 322 BC at the age of 62.
Aristotle's ideas were very influential for many centuries. They were rediscovered in the Middle Ages and became the foundation of medieval scholasticism. His ideas also had a significant impact on Islamic thought. Aristotle was one of the most important figures in the development of Western philosophy.