Aristotle

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow" (Ralph Waldo Emerson). The definition of a hero is one that possesses passion, diligence, and goodness; one that achieves more than required, like Aristotle. Aristotle demonstrated his talent to the furthest of his abilities; thus, he grew as a character and as a greater being. In this generation, he is usually acknowledged as the cliche "old wise guy" and nothing more, but he should be recognized for his influence and contributions made to the world. "Aristotle was born in Stagira, a small town in northern Greece, in the summer of 384 B.C. Stagira, located on the three-pronged peninsula known as the Chalcidice, bordered the northern coast of the Aegean Sea" (Scientists:Their Lives and Works). Aristotle's father passed away when he was a young boy, leaving him at the foot of his guardian, Proxenus. At the age of seventeen, Aristotle attended the intellectual center of the world, Plato's academy, to complete his education (Wrenn). Aristotle sought to pursue Plato's path of truth and goodness and grew to be an intelligent man. Decades later, he was regarded as one of the great philosophers of the ancient world. His passion for knowledge and learning inspired others, even Alexander the Great. Aristotle tutored the young future conqueror for three years. Then, in 335 B.C., he opened up his own school: the Lyceum. A few years later, in 322 B.C., Aristotle died a normal death. Dead or alive, a hero is one that has portrayed dedication, intelligence, and leadership qualities. Dedication is going beyond the scope of what you need to learn, intelligence is the ability to absorb knowledge, and leadership is establishing a vision and creating a path for future generations. Although Aristotle roamed the earth decades ago, his dedication, intelligence, and leadership presents him as an hero today.

Aristotle's most famous quality was his intelligence. His vast knowledge made him a trusted and well respected man. In many such cases, Aristotle's intelligence is exposed; one example being: " As the father of the field of logic, he was the first to develop a formalized system for reasoning. Aristotle observed that the validity of any argument can be determined by its structure rather than its content" (Wrenn). Aristotle was able to recognize, present, and put in words such ideas many people couldn't identify. It is inferred that Aristotle's mind ran ahead of his time era, as his thoughts were more highly advanced. To come up with logic is not easy, and it is not the only thing that Aristotle found or created. Aristotle was basically knowledgeable in every subject, but named an over-achiever in science: " Aristotle contributed much to the field of biology, especially through his early work on classification. He realized that you had to observe an array of characteristics, not just one as a basis for grouping, and scientists consider him to be the first people to group organisms in ways that made sense" (World of Health). Again, Aristotle was one of the first people to identify something new. His works, surprisingly, are still used today. Even though, present time consists of a much more technologically-advanced world, Aristotle's works are still considered accurate, which again show how Aristotle raced ahead of his time. His intellectualism is extraordinary; he contributed to many subjects, in which his wisdom shone through all the years until today.

Aristotle was a great student and teacher; his dedication to learning is what inspires today's generation, and made him successful and knowledgeable during his. It is written that: "Long before Plato's death, Aristotle had won recognition as the master's most brilliant student. His energetic gathering of research and his general love of books led Plato to nickname him "The Reader"" ( Scientists:Their Lives and Works). Aristotle was a bright student; his knowledge and diligence towards learning differentiated him from others. He was soon recognized by another famous fellow philosopher: Plato. Aristotle was fascinated with knowledge and reading, in an era in which education was not as necessary as today. He had an extensive passion for learning which started at the age group that high schoolers today are in. Aristotle therefore provides a perfect role model for students, encouraging them to learn. Aristotle was not only an outstanding student, but also a dedicated teacher: "Soon after Aristotle moved to Lesbos, Philip asked him to return to Macedonia to oversee his son Alexander's education. Aristotle, now Greece's leading intellectual, was about forty-two years old; the future Alexander the Great was a boy of thirteen. Aristotle tutored Alexander for about three years" (Scientists: Their Lives and Works ). Aristotle's dedication to knowledge molded him into teaching the future great Alexander. It is shown that Aristotle believed in teaching others for the benefit of himself and others by his sayings: "Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produced them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well." and "Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach." Aristotle was truly passionate about knowledge and it is evident that he believed that teaching is a form of high-level wisdom. Aristotle's age indicates that he was truly dedicated about achieving ultimate intelligence. The amount of years spent on learning and teaching provides a perfect example for the commitment he put into knowledge. Basically, his entire life was devoted to education and philosophy. In present time, only twelve (plus college) years is necessary for learning; but during the B.C.era, Aristotle devoted five times the amount of years to learning; therefore, making him a dedicated man, student, and teacher.

Aristotle's influential nature made him a great leader. His leadership inspired many others: "By this time, Aristotle's friends had become a group of followers whose studies and work he guided. About four years later, in 335 B.C., Aristotle returned to Athens and opened his own school, one that rivaled Plato's Academy" (Scientists: Their Lives and Works). Aristotle was a great leader because he found his own school, one that matched the "intellectual center of the world", Plato's Academy. He never followed a path; he led it. His opened his school to educate others; to lead them to success and knowledge. His natural leadership inspired his followers and many more, so that they follow his path. He had a group of students who believed that he was a wise and influential leader and chose to walk up and down a covered courtyard or peripatos while Aristotle lectured, to seek his knowledge. Aristotle also influenced the American Government and documents.: "Aristotle's arguments about republican forms of government were especially compelling for the Founders and he was credited as the source for many of the foundational doctrines of the American Republic. The Founders also relied heavily on Aristotle's views about the rule of law, which was understood to be connected to natural justice and to involve the consistency and harmony of human law with the "law of nature"" (National Rural Letter Carriers' Association). Aristotle's works had reached it potential years later in America, where the Founding Fathers based Aristotle's beliefs into their documents. Aristotle's leadership influenced others and led them to follow his footsteps. His works and beliefs on intricate forms of law have been used in the most important documents in America and his ideas of an ideal government is used world wide. Though some might not know it, Aristotle has influenced at least one thing around them and his leadership is the cause.

Aristotle lived years and years ago, but his wisdom, passion, and ability to lead others inspires me during the present. Aristotle dedicated most of his life to what he loved and desired most: knowledge. His beliefs inspired many people and even shaped the great country we live in today. His dedication to knowledge formed him into one of the greatest philosophers of the ancient world. He didn't treat knowledge as something to know; he used it his entire life. This hero inspires me to learn and do well not because it is an obligation but because it is a honor. Aristotle lived in an era where practically no advanced source of technology was invented, but he still contributed much to the world. His dedication to learning influences me to be the best of my abilities and his leadership motivates me to take up the path of goodness and truth; the path that made him successful. Aristotle is not a hero just because of his intelligence but also because of his leadership and diligence. He was a great man, but in this generation, not many know about his contributions. This philosopher is not just a regular old wise guy, he is a hero. One only grows as a good character, only when pushed beyond till their fullest potential. Aristotle grew to his fullest potential; now it is our turn.

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