Aristotelianism
Philosophical tradition based on Aristotle's teachings on ethics, logic, and metaphysics.
Also known as: Aristotelian philosophy, Peripatetic philosophy, Aristotle's teachings
Category: Concepts
Tags: philosophies, ethics, virtue, wisdom, ancient-philosophy
Explanation
Aristotelianism is the philosophical tradition based on the teachings of Aristotle (384-322 BCE), one of history's most influential thinkers. His ideas shaped Western thought in ethics, logic, science, politics, and metaphysics. Key Aristotelian concepts: virtue ethics (character virtues lead to flourishing), the golden mean (virtue as balance between extremes), eudaimonia (human flourishing as life's goal), teleology (things have natural purposes), and practical wisdom (phronesis - knowing how to act well). Aristotelian logic: syllogistic reasoning, the law of non-contradiction, and categorization - foundations of formal logic. Aristotelian ethics: focuses on developing virtuous character, happiness comes from living virtuously, and virtue is developed through practice and habit. Legacy: influenced medieval philosophy (via Thomas Aquinas), modern virtue ethics revival, and scientific method foundations (observation and classification). For knowledge workers, Aristotelianism offers: framework for character development, emphasis on practical wisdom, understanding of flourishing as life's aim, and logic as foundation for clear thinking.
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