Verified Document

Aristotle And His Contribution To Term Paper

Aristotle used mathematics in many of his other studies, as well. Another writer notes, "Aristotle used mathematics to try to 'see' the invisible patterns of sound that we recognize as music. Aristotle also used mathematics to try to describe the invisible structure of a dramatic performance" (Devlin 75-76). Aristotle used mathematics as a tool to enhance his other studies, and saw the value of creating and understanding theories of mathematics in everyday life and philosophy. During his life, Aristotle also worked with theories developed by Eudoxus and others, and helped develop the theories of physics and some geometric theories, as well. Two authors quote Aristotle on mathematics. He writes, "These are in a way the converse of geometry. While geometry investigates physical lines but not qua physical, optics investigates mathematical lines, but qua physical, not qua mathematical" (O'Conner and Robinson). He also commented on infinity, and did not believe that it existed. He did not see a relationship between mathematics and physics, however, and later scholars have criticized him heavily for this lack of understanding.

However, his contributions to mathematical theories, physics, geometry, and most importantly logic, contributed greatly to later discoveries and understanding in these fields. He greatly influenced the early belief that the earth was at the center of the universe (a belief the Catholic Church adopted and found very difficult to give up), and he influenced philosophical thought for ages after his death.
References

Devlin, Keith E. The Math Gene: How Mathematical Thinking Evolved and Why Numbers Are like Gossip. 1st ed. New York: Basic Books, 2000.

Lane, David. "Plato and Aristotle." The University of Virginia's College at Wise. 2007. 18 June 2007. http://www.mcs.uvawise.edu/dbl5h/history/plato.php

O'Connor, John J. And Edmund F. Robertson. "Aristotle on Physics and Mathematics." Saint Andrews University. 2006. 18 June 2007. http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Extras/Aristotle_physics_maths.html

Robinson, Timothy a. Aristotle in Outline. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1995.

Sources used in this document:
References

Devlin, Keith E. The Math Gene: How Mathematical Thinking Evolved and Why Numbers Are like Gossip. 1st ed. New York: Basic Books, 2000.

Lane, David. "Plato and Aristotle." The University of Virginia's College at Wise. 2007. 18 June 2007. http://www.mcs.uvawise.edu/dbl5h/history/plato.php

O'Connor, John J. And Edmund F. Robertson. "Aristotle on Physics and Mathematics." Saint Andrews University. 2006. 18 June 2007. http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Extras/Aristotle_physics_maths.html

Robinson, Timothy a. Aristotle in Outline. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1995.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Aristotle on Friendship in His
Words: 1431 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Aristotle differentiated friendships of pleasure from friendships of utility by virtue of the fact that the former are based on preferences and shared interests whereas the latter are based on specific needs that exist irrespective of preferences and interests. For example, the friendship between shopkeepers and their customers is based on a reciprocal need: the shopkeeper has a need for the patronage of the customer to support himself and

Aristotle in the First Line
Words: 1807 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

In conclusion, in Aristotle's account, some ends may be worth choosing for their own sakes and for the sake of happiness. Friends, honor, pleasure, and moral virtue may be worth choosing for two reasons: for their intrinsic value and for their contribution to happiness. Aristotle's ethics is eudaimonistic, meaning that every action is ultimately to be justified by reference to the person's own happiness. For Aristotle, anything that fulfills its essential

Aristotle's Ideas and Thoughts on
Words: 2226 Length: 8 Document Type: Essay

Both of these are thus translated through Aristotle's health component in his enumeration of elements that could make a person happy. One's health will be affected if the toilets at work are dirty, as well as if the working conditions do not ensure the physical security of the individual. This means that when applying for a job, the individual will look first of all at these elements before deciding whether

Aristotle's Book Three of the
Words: 1638 Length: 5 Document Type: Thesis

The best forms of government are those in which the leaders work for the benefit of the whole community. Little governments are actually good, as most act in favor of a specific social class, and not of the entire community. People tend to choose the form of government which benefits them the most, whether it is an oligarchy or a democracy. Plato could argue that the Aristotelian citizenship politics is completely

Aristotle on the Web Aristotle:
Words: 801 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

But the view of Aristotle is more critical, rather than seeing the philosopher as a great prognosticator. Aristotle is presented as a great patriarch, occasionally overly venerated, as quite often his word was assumed to be 'gospel' during the heyday of the Catholic Church and scholasticism, although the website makes clear he should still be regarded as a worthy creator of the inklings of the modern scientific method. The agenda

Aristotle and Happiness What Is the Point
Words: 1467 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Aristotle and Happiness What is the point of life? Happiness? Virtue? Power? All of these? The ancient Greek philosophers would have pushed us gently in the direction of virtue, although they would also have argued that both happiness and power derive from virtue and so the quest for a fulfilled life does not have to be seen in terms of a trade-off between doing good and doing well. This paper examines

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now