# Aristotle explained — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers

> Chapter companion for The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

## What happens

This chapter provides a comprehensive account of Aristotle's life, death, works, and philosophical doctrines. It includes details about his birth, his twenty-year association with Plato, his time at the court of Hermias, his tutorship of Alexander the Great, his founding of the Lyceum, his flight to Chalcis, and his death at age 63. The chapter also lists his extensive writings, outlines his division of philosophy into practical and theoretical branches, and summarizes his views on the criterion of truth, the chief good, and the components of happiness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Legacy

The chapter details Aristotle's death from aconite (or disease) at age 63, his will, his extensive list of writings, and the epigrams and testimonies that shaped his posthumous reputation.

### The Philosopher's Life and Character

The chapter provides a biographical sketch of Aristotle, including his education under Plato, his relationships with Hermias and Alexander, his flight from Athens, and his personal and professional conduct.

### Natural Philosophy and Cosmology

Aristotle's works on natural philosophy, including books on animals, anatomy, plants, astronomy, optics, motion, and the elements, are listed, reflecting his contributions to the study of the natural world.

## Character check-ins

### Aristotle

The central figure of the chapter; his life, works, and doctrines are detailed, including his birth, education under Plato, career, death, and philosophical system.

### Plato

Aristotle's teacher; the chapter notes that Aristotle joined Plato at age 17 and remained with him for twenty years.

### Theophrastus

Mentioned as the most eminent of Aristotle's friends and as a guardian of his children and estate in Aristotle's will.

### Xenocrates

Mentioned as a recipient of gifts from Alexander to annoy Aristotle, and as a subject of one of Aristotle's works.

### Alexander

Referred to as the king whom Aristotle tutored; the chapter mentions Alexander's age when Aristotle joined Philip's court and the conspiracy of Callisthenes.

### Demosthenes

Noted as having died in the same year as Aristotle, in Calauria.

## Key lines

> The tyrant of the Persian archer race, Broke through the laws of God to slay this man Not by the manly spear in open fight, But by the treachery of a faithless friend.

A Persian tyrant violated divine law by killing this man through a friend's betrayal rather than in honorable combat.

_Epigram on Aristotle's statue at Delphi, describing his death as caused by treachery._

> O Virtue, won by earnest strife, And holding out the noblest prize That ever gilded earthly life, Or drew it on to seek the skies;

Virtue, achieved through dedicated effort, offers the greatest reward that can enrich mortal life or inspire one to strive for heaven.

_Opening of Aristotle's hymn in honor of Hermias, celebrating virtue as the highest pursuit._

> The empty-headed Aristotle rais'd This empty tomb to Hermias the Eunuch, The ancient slave of the ill-us'd Eubulus.

The foolish Aristotle erected a meaningless monument to Hermias, a eunuch and former slave of the mistreated Eubulus.

_Theocritus of Chios' epigram ridiculing Aristotle for honoring Hermias._

> Nor the sad chattering of the empty Aristotle.

Nor the mournful prattle of the hollow Aristotle.

_Timon's attack on Aristotle, characterizing his philosophy as empty talk._

> that there is in philosophy a twofold division; one practical, and the other theoretical.

Philosophy is divided into two branches: practical and theoretical.

_Aristotle's foundational division of philosophy as presented in the chapter._

> The chief good he has defined to be the exercise of virtue in a perfect life.

The highest good is the practice of virtue throughout a complete life.

_Aristotle's definition of the chief good, emphasizing virtuous activity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/aristotle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters