An Introduction to Aristotle's Methodology in Solving Philosophical Problems

The present article is aiming at an investigation of the features of Aristotle's method for solving problems compared to methods of Socrates and Plato. To do so, firstly a description of Socrate's method and that of Plato in solving philosophical problems is presented here. Then Aristotle's critiques on these methods have been stated, and focusing on Aristotle's method, the features of his method has been mentioned. Aristotle starts his philosophical method by criticizing Plato's philosophical method, i.e. dialectics. For him, dialectics would not lead us to truth; rather, its usage is helping us in a better understanding. One of the difficulties resulted from dialectics and Aristotle's method in solving it has been stated in detail here. He poses the following question: "Does the discussion on the principles of reasoning belong to one discipline or various disciplines?" As for these principles, there are two opposing possibilities: a) "the discussion on the principles of reasoning belongs to one discipline"; b) "this discussion belongs to several disciplines". For Aristotle, investigating the principles of sciences – in particular, the principle of 'no contradiction' as the most basic one – is a duty of one science, i.e. the prime philosophy; this is because these principles are valid for all beings. In addition to these principles, research is also considered a principle in every science.