For his pioneer work in the field of natural sciences, the ancient Greek Aristotle is considered by many to be the father of biology. Doctor and philosopher and the famed teacher of Alexander the Great, Aristotle is synonymous with experimentation, deduction, logic and wisdom.
Background
Aristotle was born in 384 B.C.E., the son of a royal court physician. He began by following in his father's footsteps and studying medicine but then went to Athens to study philosophy. He studied under the famed philosopher Plato and soon went from student to teacher at the Plato school. When Plato died, Aristotle's views differed from Plato's to such a degree that he was not made the head of the Plato school, and he left to travel the world.
Career
It is believed that after Plato's death, Aristotle may have spent some time studying biology in what is today known as Turkey. In 338 B.C.E., he returned to Macedonia to become the personal tutor of Alexander the Great. After a time, Aristotle went back to Athens to begin his own school called the Lyceum. Political tensions grew between the Athenian and Macedonian states and Aristotle chose to leave all behind and moved to a small island called Euboea. He died in 322 B.C. E. at the age of 62, after a life spent studying and teaching.
Biology
Aristotle combined his understanding of the natural world with his studies in philosophy and began to draw conclusions about the state of matter and organisms. He stated that the function of an animal is intimately connected to its form. He concentrated his studies in zoology. Aristotle's biological writings were concentrated on the movement and genetic progression of animals. He studied their anatomy, habits and habitats and drew conclusions still used today when studying animals and biological life. Some of his biological theories are very philosophical and metaphysical.
Influence
The work of Aristotle, whether in literary criticism, logical thinking, critical thinking, philosophy or science, continues to influence the world today. Much of his written work forms the foundation for modern branches of science, literature, philosophy and the arts. Aristotle remains a figure of respect and study because of his large body of work as well as his comprehensive knowledge of the world, both physical and metaphysical. Famed naturalist Charles Darwin claimed that Aristotle was essential to the study of biology.
A Note on Darwin
Some sources consider Charles Darwin (1809-1882) to be a modern father of biology due to his world-changing views on evolution which challenged long-held beliefs about the nature of adaptation, species differentiation and the links between man and other animals. Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species was published in 1859 and laid the groundwork for many naturalists, evolutionists, anthropologists and biologists in understanding the natural environment, evolution and the story of genetics.
Tags: Charles Darwin, Alexander Great, father biology, Plato school, understanding natural