Talk:Aristotle/Archives/2008

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Relationship with Alexander

I think that the claim that Aristotle was Alexander's teacher is pure legend. The actual historical evidence is mighty slim. I suggest including something to that effect. For discussion on this see Ingemar During, _Aristotle in the Ancient Biographical Tradition, 1957, 284-8, and W. W. Tarn, _Alexander the Great_, vol. II, 1948, 399-449. When Aristotle went to Mieza, he was pretty much an unknown except for his father's occupational connection to Philip. Moreover, Aristotle never mentions Alexander anywhere, and Philip only once. And Alexander's supposed letters to Aristotle are all fakes.Garbopash (talk) 20:23, 11 January 2008 (UTC)

I think you've misunderstood Düring and are probably just repeating Düring's approving reference to Tarn, because if you actually read those pages of Tarn you will see that Tarn unambiguously accepts the indubitable historical fact that Aristotle was Alexander's tutor. Seach Tarn on Google Books for "tutor" for a couple of clear examples. The intention of Düring's reference is to recommend Tarn's interpretation of how exactly Alexander's career and thinking were influenced by certain political ideas of his tutor Aristotle ("He was soaked in Aristotle's ideas," Tarn, p. 436). Bottom line, neither Düring nor Tarn doubts "the claim that Aristotle was Alexander's teacher"; Düring implies pretty clearly on p. 287 that Aristotle won this position through his family's connections. Of course Düring is not equally credulous of every detail in every ancient source he brings together in AABT, and he prefers Tarn's critical interpretation to some of the unreliable primary sources (this is what he means by "The truth...differs somewhat from the legends")—but that is not the same as dismissing the relationship wholesale, which I've never heard of any historian doing. Wareh (talk) 15:40, 17 January 2008 (UTC)

Who is his Father?

Aristotle was born in Stagira, on the peninsula of Chalcidice in 384 BC. His father, Poomus, was court physician to King Amyntas III of Macedon. It is believed that Aristotle's ancestors held this position under various kings of the Macedon. He did not go to school, instead he was taught by his father. His father's medical knowledge was perhaps the inspiration for Aristotle's later interest in natural phenomena.

Little is known about his mother, Phaestis, who died early in Aristotle's life. His father Nicomachus died when Aristotle was ten, making him an orphan. Then he was placed under the guardianship of his uncle, Proxenus of Atarneus, who also took over his education. He gave Aristotle significant instruction in Greek, rhetoric, and poetry (O'Connor et al., 2004). Aristotle went to Athens at the age of 18, and attended Plato's school for young Greek aristocracy (the Academy). Aristotle quickly became Plato's favorite student.

This article keeps changing. Who is Aristotle's father? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.173.173.96 (talk • contribs)

Indeed, Aristotle's father was Nicomachus. However, more importantly, the story of Aristotle being tutor to Alexander has very little historical support. I think that this fact deserves mention.Garbopash (talk) 21:03, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

It is not a fact that Aristotle's position as Alexander's tutor is historically dubious. Please see my comment on this page as Talk:Aristotle#Relationship_with_Alexander. Wareh (talk) 16:45, 17 January 2008 (UTC)