Born to disagree

Aqib Ullah 

Plato was sitting in his academy engaged in discussion with his students, a conversation that would go on to influence the thoughts and views of that time. During this, a young boy from northern Greece entered silently, without introducing himself. Even the great Plato, a student of Socrates, did not realize that this boy had come not merely to learn, but to form his own ideas – ideas that would sometimes challenge those of his teacher.

The boy’s arrival wasn’t considered important by the students present. But the world would later give tremendous importance to his thoughts – far more than even Plato might have expected. Who was that boy, a great philosopher in his own right, but not considered the greatest student of Plato because he often clashed with him?

He was Aristotle, a thinker who became one of the most influential figures in history. His ideas remain respected even today. Whether we consider his emphasis on politics or his insights into achieving happiness, Aristotle’s thoughts continue to captivate curious minds.

Much has been written about Aristotle’s personal life, his habits, and his unique nature. He often asked many questions of his students, believing that learning comes through inquiry and doubt. He wasn’t interested in formal, closed classroom teaching. Instead, he preferred informal education, walking and conversing with his students , a practice that gave rise to the term “Peripatetic School.”

Aristotle was a great lover of nature. He frequently sought solitude in forests to reflect and connect with the natural world. In short, he was a well-mannered man with unconventional habits , habits that set him apart from the majority of his time.

Aristotle’s ethics focus on how people can live a happy and fulfilling life. He strongly believed that good habits and pure intentions are essential to achieving lasting happiness. Kindness, honesty, and courage, he argued, are core virtues that lead to a meaningful life. Such a person, he said, becomes a magnanimous or “great-souled” individual.

Describing the traits of a magnanimous person, Aristotle said such individuals live virtuously and strive to do good for others. They are independent, self-reliant, and possess a noble pride in themselves.

Aristotle’s political theories are well-known among scholars, but his concept of justice is equally important. He believed in distributive justice — the idea that every person should receive what they truly deserve based on their abilities and contributions.

In conclusion, Aristotle was one of the greatest philosophers of all time. His thoughts eventually received more recognition than even those of his teacher, Plato. While Plato was an idealist, Aristotle was a realist. And that young boy who entered Plato’s academy quietly left it with a voice that would echo through the ages.