THE LYCEUM
When Aristotle returned to Athens in 334 BC, he founded his Lyceum. He built the school where there was a sanctuary to Apollo Lykeios, or Apollo the Wolf, and the word "Lyceum" comes from this name. At the Lyceum, Aristotle taught in the fields of ethics, logic, metaphysics, music, poetry, politics, and theatre. However, he did not only teach to students. Aristotle also offered public lectures that anyone could attend, for no cost. When Aristotle left Athens once again in 322 BC, the Lyceum continued to operate under new leaders until it was destroyed in 86 BC by the Romans. Aristotelian concepts continued to be present in western philosophy even through the revolutions that were the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment. Now, a garden circles the excavated site of the Lyceum so that visitors can walk around the garden and enter the site at any point they wish.
MOLDED BY PLATO
Aristotle was born in Macedonia, but when his father died, he was sent bu his uncle to study in Athens. Aristotle studied at Plato's Academy from 367 to 347 BC. Plato's nickname for Aristotle was "neuse," referencing the part of the mind that is responsible for immediately knowing the truth without argumentation (like an epiphany or "a-ha moment"). I would like to know more about the relationship between Plato and Aristotle. They seem to have been friends, as Plato gave Aristotle a nickname, and because Aristotle studied with Plato for twenty years, it makes sense why they have similar mindsets, though Aristotle is notably different in some areas. I would like to know how close they were. Did they continue discussions out of class? Did Plato see Aristotle as his successor? Would Plato have wanted Aristotle to teach at the Academy? Did they realize what an impact they, as well as Socrates, would have on western philosophy?
ARISTOTLE THE GREAT
Before founding the Lyceum, Aristotle taught students at a school in northern Greece. Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, built a school at which many outstanding young boys were taught by Aristotle. Alexander was in the class, and he learned much from Aristotle. Alexander was relatively young when he died, at thirty-two years old, in 323 BC. Had Alexander lived longer, would he have taken more to philosophy? By the time he died, Alexander ruled over a large part of the ancient world, and he was focused on ruling an empire more than philosophy. However, if he had lived, would he had become more dedicated to philosophy in his later years? I am wondering this because it is curious to me that Aristotle did not have a student who became a big name in philosophy, like both Plato and Socrates' students. Is it because Athens was skeptical of Aristotle that his influence did not spread to a particular new student? I know he taught Alexander, but, though Alexander did not abandon the study of philosophy, he was more concerned with ruling an empire. At least Aristotle's influence managed to spread across western culture.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle
