Philosopher · 384 BC – 322 BC
Aristotle
Little-Known Facts
- Aristotle's surviving works are mostly lecture notes, not polished books meant for publication.
- He was a marine biologist at heart, dissecting and cataloguing dozens of sea creatures.
Surprising Stories
- After Alexander's death, anti-Macedonian feeling forced Aristotle to flee Athens, reportedly saying he would not let the city 'sin twice against philosophy' — a reference to the execution of Socrates.
Myths & Misconceptions
Did Aristotle agree with Plato's theory of Forms?
No. Although Plato's student, Aristotle rejected the separate existence of Forms, arguing that the essence of things is found within the things themselves.