Aristotle and Greek Culture

A detailed Summary of Aristotle and Greek Culture

During Aristotle's time there was a shift in thought and a shift in belief, dealing directly with religion. Aristotle attended these issues in society. Aristotle was apart of a very strong social movement. Aristotle used an observational approach to help show examples of why these differences made better sense than the beliefs that existed before.

During the time Aristotle was writing On the Heavens and his other works, the Greek people were beginning to question religion. They began to put their gods on trial. (Exploring Ancient World Cultures.)

The old gods that lived in the minds of the ancient Greeks had supernatural powers, but were limited by the concept of fate. Destiny hindered the power of the gods and because of this the gods were seen as fallible creatures. The gods simply were viewed as bigger than humans but not different or alien. They had faults like mankind in that they fought one another and often meddled in human affairs. (Exploring Ancient World Cultures.)

The intellectual city dwellers began to realize the gods did not answer with the visible and immediate rewards that were expected. Many people began adopting monotheistic beliefs, and gave the God Apollo many of the qualities that the other g

Aristotle took society's concept of religion, heaven, and a higher body, and showed that these concepts were very possible. Aristotle did this with simple observations that existed around him and everyone else. For as long as there were written records there had been a concept of heaven and of a higher body. These concepts didn't change as men changed; instead the concepts stayed the same, work of a higher body.

Aristotle was one of the minds who developed a more scientific approach to religion. He looked at religion and agreed with the movements taking place in his society, but needed more than faith to lead him. As a student in the sciences he was taught to look further and question more. Aristotle questioned what was going on around him and worked very hard at developing answers to the questions surrounding him and others of his time. He took on an observational approach to the world and saw that all around him were signs and proofs that there was a higher place. (The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

This movement towards an afterlife wasn't shared among all Greek's though. This movement in religion was developed in the minds of the philosophers and the higher-class people. This form of religion suited the sophisticated city dwellers, among whom there was even a strong monotheistic tendency; however, it did not meet the needs of the people of the provinces, the farmers and shepherds, who retained primitive notions steeped in superstition. (Greek and Roman Mythology)

Once the gods were on trial the door was open for popular relig

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Approximate Word count = 1054
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History