Aristotle By Maureen Costa Aristotle’s father Nicomachus was physician to king Amyntas of Macedonia, Nichomachusbelonged to a large family of physicians and healers. As a boy Aristotle watched his father treat patients and make medicines from plants and animals. Many think from this Aristotle gained his interest in nature study biology and anatomy. He also was said to have developed his power of observation through this. His family life was comfortable they had money and servants.(1) Aristotle grew up in the court of king Amyntas. He was a friend of the king’s son Philip. The boys learned subjects such as math, politics, philosophy, logic and ethics. They didn’t have the science we have today. This boy prince later succeeded his father and became Prince Philip II of Macedonia. The boys as they got older attended the theater to watch plays, musical concerts and dancing. In 667 B.C. when Aristotle was 17 he traveled to Athens. He joined the academy of philosopher Plato.(4) This school of thought was located in a grove on the outskirts of Athens it was founded twenty years before he arrived. He was a student then became a teacher. He stayed for 20 years. While he was there Plato taught him and became his friend. Aristotle was very inspired by Plato and learned as much as he could from him. While at the academy he wrote several works in the form of dialogues. (2) As he began to learn more he started to question Plato’s views and methods. Plato died in 347 B.C. and the academy was taken over by his nephew. Aristotle became restless and did not agree with the new views Plato’s nephew set forth. (4) He left Athens. He was away for 12 years he went to Assos to the court of Hermias. There he studied politics and biology. He taught and advised rulers. He began to esta ...