tenets of the different sects, and maintained, that the doctrines of the Stoics were to be found in the writings of Plato. Cicero greatly admired his eloquence and the politeness of his manners; and Lucullus took him as his companion into Asia. He resigned the Academic chair in the hundred and seventy-fifth Olympiad.95 After his time, the professors of the Academic philosophy were dispersed by the tumults of war, and the school itself was transferred to Rome,96 CHAP. IX. OF ARISTOTLE AND THE PERIPATETIC SECT. SECT. I. Of Aristotle and his Philosophy. IN the preceding chapter we have traced the rise and progress of the Ionic school, from Thales, through Socrates, and his pupil Plato, into the several forms which it assumed in the Old, Middle, and New Academy. We are next to inquire into the history of another principal branch of this school, the Peripatetic sect, founded by Aristotle; a philosopher, whose extensive and penetrating genius has entitled him to immortal fame, and whose doctrines have been transmitted through various channels to the present day, and have been surprisingly interwoven with almost the whole circle of the sciences. The history of his life and opinions will require a minute and impartial discussion. 95 B. C. 80. Potter. Arch. I. i. c. 10. 96, Vidend. Meurs. de Archont. Ath. 1. iii. c. 9. 1. iv. 20. Amoen. Lit. t. vii. p. 232. t. viii. p. 326. Reiman. Hist. Ath. c. 22. §6. c. 33. §5. Cudworth. c. iv. § 24. Jons, de Scrip. 1. ii. c. 13, 14. Bayle. Fouchier. Diss. de Phil. Acad. Par. 1692. Huet de la Foiblesse, &c. August. contr. Acad. Gassen de Log. l. ii. c. 4. Carpzovii Diss. de Critolao. ARISTOTLE1 was a native of Stagyra, a town of Thrace, on the borders of the bay of Strymon, which at that time was subject to Philip of Macedon. His father was a physician, named Nicomachus; his mother's name was Phastias. From the place of his birth he is called the Stagyrite. Ancient writers are generally agreed in fixing the time of his birth in the first year of the ninety-ninth Olympiad.3* He received the first rudiments of learning from Proxenus, of Atarna in Mysia, of whom he always retained a respectful remembrance. In gratitude for the care which he had taken of his early education, he afterwards honoured his memory with a statue, instructed his son Nicanor in the liberal sciences, and adopted him as his heir. At the age of seventeen Aristotle went to Athens, and devoted himself to the study of philosophy in the school of Plato.5 The uncommon acuteness of his apprehension, and his indefatigable industry, soon attracted the attention of Plato, and obtained his applause. Plato used to call him the Mind of the School, and to say, when he was absent, “Intellect is not here." His acquaintance with books was extensive and accurate, as sufficiently appears from the concise abridgment of opinions, and the numerous quotations which are found in his works. According to Strabo," he was the first person who formed a library. Aristotle continued in the Academy till the death of Plato, that is, to the thirty-seventh year of his age. After the death of his master, he erected a monument to his memory, on which he inscribed an epitaph expressive of the highest respect, of which a Latin version is preserved :7 Gratus Aristoteles struit hoc altare Platoni, 1 Laert. 1. v. § 1. &c. Suidas. Ammonii Vita Arist. apud Proleg. Categ. 2 Herod. Polymn. p. 265. Pausan. Eliac. p. 462. Laert. Ammon. Dion. Hal. loc. cit. + To Plato's sacred name this tomb is rear'd, 7 Ammon. He likewise wrote an oration and elegies in praise of Plato, and gave other proofs of respect for his memory. Little regard is therefore due to the improbable tale related by Aristoxenus, of a quarrel between Aristotle and Plato, which terminated in a temporary exclusion of Aristotle from the Academy, and in his erection of a school in op, position to Plato during his life. We find no proof that Aristotle instituted a new system of philosophy before the death of Plato. It is certain, however, that when Speusippus, upon the death of his uncle, succeeded him in the Academy, Aristotle was so much displeased, that he left Athens, and paid a visit to Hermias, king of the Atarnenses, who had been his friend and fellow disciple, and who received him with every expression of regard. Here he remained three years, and during this interval diligently prosecuted his philosophical researches. At the close of this term his friend Hermias was taken prisoner by Memnon, a Rhodian, and sent to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, who put him to death. Upon this, Aristotle placed a statue of his friend in the temple of Delphos, and, out of respect to his memory, married his sister, whom her brother's death had reduced to poverty and distress.10 Upon the death of Hermias Aristotle removed to Mitylene," but from what inducement does not appear. After he had remained there two years, Philip, king of Macedon, having heard of his extraordinary abilities and merit, made choice of him as preceptor to his son Alexander, and wrote him the following letter: Philip to Aristotle, wisheth health: "Be informed that I have a son, and that I am thankful to the gods, not so much for his birth, as that he was born in the same age with you; for if you will undertake the charge of his education, I assure myself that he will become worthy of his father, and of the kingdom which he will inherit." Aristotle accepted the charge; and in the second year • Euseb. Prep. 1. xv. c. 2. Suidas in Aristox. Ælian. I. iii. c. 19. 9 Laert. 1. c. 10 Strabo, I. xiii. p. 610. Euseb. 1. c. Conf. Athen. I. xv. p. 694. Strabo, ib. A. Gell. 1. ix. c. 3. Plut. de Fort. Alex. t. ii: p. 346. 12 of the hundred and ninth Olympiad, when Alexander was in his fifteenth year, he took up his residence in the court of Philip. He had been himself well instructed, not only in the doctrines of the schools, but in the manners of the world, and therefore was excellently qualified for the office of preceptor to the young prince. Accordingly we find that he executed this trust so perfectly to the satisfaction of Philip and Olympia, that they admitted him to their entire confidence, and conferred upon him many acceptable tokens of esteem.13 Philip allowed him no small share of influence in his public counsels; and it reflected great honour upon Aristotle, that he made use of his interest with this prince, rather for the benefit of his friends and the public, than for his own emolument. At his intercession, the town of Stagyra, which had fallen into decay, was rebuilt, and the inhabitants were restored to their ancient privileges. In commemoration of their obligations to their fellow-citizen, and as a testimony of respect for his merit, they instituted an annual Aristotelian festival.15 Alexander entertained such an affection for his preceptor, that he professed himself more indebted to him than to his father; declaring that Philip had only given him life, but that Aris totle had taught him the art of living well.16 He is said not only to have instructed his pupil in the principles of ethics and policy, but also to have communicated to him the most abstruse and concealed doctrines of philosophy. But it may be questioned, whether a preceptor who was himself so well trained by experience in the prudential maxims of life, would think of conducting a youth, who was destined to wield a sceptre, through the intricate mazes of metaphysics; or whether a pupil of Alexander's enterprising spirit would be able to bend his mind to such studies. What is related concerning the pains which Aris totle took to make his pupil acquainted with Homer, and to inspire him with a love of his writings, is much more credible; for he certainly could not have adopted a more judicious method of enriching the mind of the young prince with noble sentiments, or of inspiring him with ambition to distinguish himself by illustrious actions. 12 B. C. 343. 13 Ammonius, l. c. Immediately after the death of Philip, which happened in the first year of the hundred and eleventh Olympiad, 17. Alexander, whose ambitious spirit could not bear to be inclosed within the limits of his paternal kingdom, formed the design of his Asiatic expedition. It is not improbable that Aristotle, who, after eight years' daily intercourse, must have been well acquainted with the character of his pupil, approved of this enterprise. For his own part, however, he preferred the enjoyment of literary leisure to the prospect of sharing with Alexander the glory of conquest, and therefore determined to return to Athens.18 His nephew, Calisthenes, remained with the hero, and accompanied him in his exploits. After Aristotle had left his pupil, they carried on a friendly correspondence, in which the philosopher prevailed upon Alexander to employ his increasing power and wealth in the service of philosophy, by furnishing him, in his retirement, with the means of enlarging his acquaintance with nature. Alexander accordingly 19 employed several thousand persons in different parts of Europe and Asia to collect animals of various kinds, birds, beasts, and fishes, and sent them to Aristotle, who, from the information which this collection afforded him, wrote fifty volumes on the history of animated nature, only ten of which are now extant. Calisthenes,20 in the course of the Asiatic expedition, incurred the displeasure of Alexander," by the freedom with which he censured his conduct; the aversion was by a natural association transferred to Aristotle; and from that time a mutual alienation and jealousy took place between the philosopher and his prince. But there is no sufficient reason to believe 22 that their attachment was converted into a settled enmity, which at length led them to form designs against each other's life. Aristotle, upon his return to Athens, finding the Academy, in which he probably intended to preside, occupied by Xenocrates, resolved to acquire the fame of a leader in philosophy, by founding a new sect in opposition to the Academy, and teaching a system of doctrines different 19 Plin. Nat. Hist. 1. viii. c. 16, 17 B. C..336. 20 Laert. 18 Laert. &c. 21 Q. Curtius, 1. viii. c. 6. 22 Plut. 1. c. Patricii Discussiones Peripatetica, Basil. 1571. |