AristotleGreek Philosophercirca 335 B.C.E.

Poetics

Literary Aesthetics

What are the essential features of Literary Work

What constitutes works of value?

Three Categories

Tragedy

Comedy

Epic

Mimesis (imitation)

Catharsis (purification, cleansing)

Poetics

Lost Works After the Roman Period Aristotle’s works were thought to be lost

However, they were preserved by Muslim scholars and philosophers

Influence on Islamic Thought

Was the groundwork for the falsafa school of Islamic thought

Influenced prominent Islamic scholars such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd

Ibn Rushd (Averroes)

Andalusian Arab Philosopher (1126-1198)

Commentary on Aristotle greatly influenced European thinkers

Influence

Deeply influential in the Early Modern Period

Spurred the Neo-classical movement