Aristotle’s formal education began at the age of 17, when he enrolled in Plato’s Academy in Athens. After spending 20 years at the Academy, Aristotle left Athens and spent the next 12 years traveling and conducting scientific research.
In 335 B.C.E., Aristotle returned to Athens and founded his own school of philosophy, called the Lyceum. The Lyceum was located on a hill in Athens called the “Lyceum” because it was where athletes trained for the Olympic Games.
While in Athens, Aristotle studied under Plato and became a famous teacher there himself. He wrote many books on various topics, including philosophy, zoology and botany.
Philosopher’s students attended classes at the Lyceum for two hours each day, from 6:00 a.m. until noon or 1:00 p.m., depending on how much time they had available for study. Aristotle would teach his students using a method called “question and answer.” He would first ask questions about what they had read and written during their independent study time, then he would answer those questions with his own thoughts on the subject matter being discussed.
In fact, Aristotle’s most famous work is his Nicomachean Ethics, which was written after he had completed his formal education. The Nicomachean Ethics is a treatise on ethics that focuses on virtue as the key to happiness and good living. It also examines virtues such as courage, temperance (moderation), justice, generosity, self-control and magnanimity (greatness of soul).
