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Rise of Empiricism
Aristotle, Locke, Berkeley, Hume
The scientific method and discovery is probably quite a bit older than Aristotle but the great Greek philosopher provides the first known paradigm in history of what we now call the scientific method. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Aristotle was the first genuine scientist in history and every scientist is in his debt.
Born in 384 BC in Stagira, 55 miles east of the port city of Thessaloniki, Aristotle is the greatest polymath of all time. His writings span the widest spectrum of human knowledge imaginable. Biology, zoology, physics, geography, astronomy, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theater, music. Have we left anything out? Oh yes, linguistics, rhetoric, politics, government.
When Aristotle was a youth, his father Nicomachus died and Aristotle was raised by a guardian until the age of eighteen when he joined Plato’s Academy in Athens. The Academy was a school of philosophy founded by Plato, where no doctrines were taught but problems were posed to be studied and solved by the students. The atmosphere at the Academy was unusually liberal by ancient standards. There was no clearly defined academic curriculum and no clear distinction between teachers and students. Can you think of any kids today who wouldn’t want to be in a school like Plato’s?
The words “academy” and “academic” that are so common in our everyday language have their roots in Plato’s Academy, which was named after Academus, a legendary hero in Greek mythology. Plato’s academy created the ideal learning environment where a creative mind like Aristotle’s could flourish. Italian renaissance painter Raphael’s wall painting titled The School of Athens is an excellent portrayal of the intellectually vigorous atmosphere at the Academy.
Aristotle’s Greek name is Aristotelis. It is a composite name made up of two words, Aristos (best) and Telis (purpose). So, Aristotle means “best purpose”. Quite appropriate for a man guided by such great purpose throughout his life! Aristotle stayed at Plato’s Academy for about twenty years and became the Academy’s intellectual powerhouse. On Plato’s death, Aristotle left the Academy and moved back to the palace of King Philip of Macedonia, where Aristotle had spent part of his childhood when his father Nicomachus…
