ABSTRACT
Aristotle was the son of a Macedonian court physician. Despite his broad interests, Aristotle never presents a comprehensive theory of old age, but refers to aging and old age across his biological, physiological, and political texts. Aristotle’s approach to aging is more complex than it may appear as it interconnects his understanding of natural physiological processes and political philosophy. Aristotle’s approach to aging is similar to what is now called a “life course model,” which posits a sequential and path-dependent process of human development. Aristotle’s discussion of education recognizes that instructing a seven-year-old differs significantly from a fourteen- or a twenty-year-old. Aristotle explores the question of why we age in broader discussions of natural science that situate the aging process within his larger theory of four elementary substances: earth, fire, air, and water.
