Aristotle: The Philosopher Who Defined How We Think and Succeed

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These weeks are flying by. Belated Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone!

This week on the Changing Minds podcast, we’re diving into the life and teachings of Aristotle—the philosopher who built the intellectual blueprint for how to think, how to live, and how to succeed. You can watch it here.

Unlike Socrates, who questioned everything, and Plato, who sought higher ideals, Aristotle was deeply practical. His philosophy wasn’t just about abstract thinking—it was about action, logic, persuasion, and achieving personal excellence.

This newsletter explores who Aristotle was, his most powerful ideas, and how you can apply his wisdom to your own life.

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Aristotle: The Philosopher Who Defined How We Think and Succeed

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes 57 seconds

Over 2,000 years ago, one man shaped the way we think about influence, persuasion, storytelling, and even science. His name? Aristotle.

Before Dale Carnegie, before Robert Cialdini, and long before modern psychology dissected how persuasion works, Aristotle laid out the blueprint for influence. His books Rhetoric and Poetics not only explained why some arguments are convincing and why some stories move us—but they also set the foundation for everything from political speeches to marketing to Hollywood blockbusters.

But Aristotle wasn’t just a master of persuasion. He was one of the most brilliant minds in human history—a philosopher, scientist, teacher, and observer of the world. His work shaped logic, ethics, politics, biology, and even our understanding of purpose and happiness.

So today, we’re diving into his life, his game-changing ideas, and the lessons you can use right now to sharpen your thinking, make better decisions, and communicate more persuasively.

From Student to Teacher of Kings

Before Aristotle became one of the greatest thinkers of all time, he was just a kid from Stagira, Northern Greece, born around 384 BCE.

His father, Nicomachus, was a physician to the King of Macedon, meaning Aristotle grew up around medicine, biology, and science. But tragedy struck early—he was orphaned as a child and raised by a guardian.

At 17 years old, Aristotle moved to Athens and joined Plato’s Academy, where he studied for 20 years under one of the most famous philosophers in history.

And while he admired Plato, he didn’t just accept everything his teacher said. He questioned, refined, and—eventually—challenged many of Plato’s ideas.

This tension shaped Aristotle’s philosophy. While Plato focused on abstract ideals—the “perfect” version of things that existed beyond our reality—Aristotle was all about observing the real world and learning from what we see.

That’s why he became one of the fathers of modern science.

But his journey didn’t stop there. After Plato’s death, Aristotle left Athens, traveled, and eventually took on a very important student—a young boy named Alexander.

That’s right. Alexander the Great.

For several years, Aristotle mentored the future conqueror of the known world, shaping his thinking, leadership, and worldview. And while we can’t say Aristotle is the reason Alexander became “the Great,” it didn’t hurt to have a genius as a tutor.

Later, Aristotle returned to Athens and founded his own school—the Lyceum—where he spent years teaching and writing. His influence would last not just for centuries, but for millennia.

Aristotle’s Biggest Ideas—And Why They Matter Today

1. The Three Pillars of Persuasion (Ethos, Logos, Pathos)

If you want to be persuasive, Aristotle gave us the ultimate cheat sheet in Rhetoric:

Ethos (Credibility) – People believe those they trust. If you want to persuade, build your authority.
Logos (Logic) – A strong argument needs facts and reasoning. Data matters.
Pathos (Emotion) – Logic alone isn’t enough—you must make people feel something.

Look at the best speeches, ads, and debates today, and you’ll see this framework in action. It’s used everywhere—from politics to business to social media.

Next time you’re trying to persuade someone, ask yourself—am I credible (ethos)? Is my argument logical (logos)? And am I making them feel something (pathos)?

2. The Golden Mean – Why Balance is Everything

Aristotle believed that every virtue has two extremes—one of excess and one of deficiency. The key to a good life? Finding the balance in the middle.

Too little courage? You’re a coward.
Too much courage? You’re reckless.
Too little generosity? You’re selfish.
Too much generosity? You’re a pushover.

Moderation, Aristotle argued, is what leads to a flourishing life.

Where in your life are you at one extreme? How can you find the balance—the golden mean?

3. The Purpose of Life is Eudaimonia (Flourishing, Not Just Happiness)

Most people think happiness is about pleasure and success. But Aristotle argued that real happiness—what he called eudaimonia—is about fulfillment.

It’s about living with purpose, cultivating virtue, and striving for excellence.

For Aristotle, a life well lived isn’t just about what you feel—it’s about who you become.

Instead of chasing momentary happiness, ask yourself—am I becoming the person I want to be?

4. The Four Causes – Why Everything Happens for a Reason

If you want to understand anything in life, Aristotle said, you need to ask four questions:

Material Cause: What is it made of? (A chair is made of wood.)
Formal Cause: What is its shape or structure? (A chair has legs and a seat.)
Efficient Cause: Who or what made it? (A carpenter built the chair.)
Final Cause: What is its purpose? (A chair exists to be sat on.)

He applied this thinking to everything—from physical objects to human purpose.

Ask yourself—what is the final cause of your life? What is your purpose?

5. Storytelling and Catharsis – Why We Need Stories to Process Life

In Poetics, Aristotle explained why stories matter.

A great story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
A hero should be relatable and flawed.
A great story teaches a deeper truth.
Tragedy allows us to experience emotions safely—what Aristotle called catharsis.

Sound familiar? It should. Every Hollywood movie, novel, and speech follows these principles.

Think about the stories you consume. Are they helping you grow? Are they shaping the way you see the world?

How to Apply Aristotle’s Wisdom Today

Work on Your Character Daily – Habits shape who you are.
Find Balance (The Golden Mean) – Extremes rarely lead to success.
Live with Purpose – Happiness isn’t just pleasure; it’s growth.
Master Persuasion – Use ethos, logos, and pathos to influence.
Think Long Term – The best decisions come from logic, not impulse.
Tell Better Stories – Influence people by using narrative, not just facts.
Observe the World Around You – The best lessons come from what’s real, not just ideas.