Aristotle (384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath whose writings span a broad range of subjects including the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts. As the founder of the Peripatetic school of philosophy in the Lyceum in Athens, he initiated the Aristotelian tradition that laid the foundation for the development of modern science.

Little is known about Aristotle's early life. He was born in Stagira, northern Greece, and after the death of his father, Nicomachus, was raised by a guardian. At approximately 17 or 18 years of age, he joined Plato's Academy in Athens, where he stayed until he was 37. Following Plato’s death, Aristotle left Athens and tutored Alexander the Great at the request of Philip II of Macedon. He established a library in the Lyceum, which aided him in producing many of his hundreds of books on papyrus scrolls.

Although Aristotle wrote many treatises and dialogues, only about a third of his original output has survived, none of which was intended for publication. His work provided a complex synthesis of the philosophies that preceded him, and his teachings and methods have had a significant impact worldwide, continuing to be a topic of contemporary philosophical discussion.

Aristotle's influence profoundly shaped medieval scholarship, extending into the Renaissance and not being systematically replaced until the Enlightenment. He was revered as "The First Teacher" by medieval Muslim scholars, and "The Philosopher" by medieval Christians, including Thomas Aquinas. Dante referred to him as "the master of those who know". His works include the earliest known formal study of logic, and his influence on logic persisted into the 19th century. Furthermore, his ethics have gained renewed interest with the modern advent of virtue ethics.