A short commentary on Aristotle's scientific legacy and his definition of the physiologist

Zarros, A. (2014) A short commentary on Aristotle's scientific legacy and his definition of the physiologist. Acta Physiologica Hungarica, 101(2), pp. 259-261. (doi: 10.1556/APhysiol.101.2014.2.14) (PMID:24901085)

Abstract

The roots of physiology - on the basis of a systematic study of the human body's functions and their correlation to anatomy - date back to the works of Aristotle. The pupil of Plato and the tutor of Alexander the Great was a one-man university, and his contributions to the medical sciences have been immense. His surviving works highlight the first serious approach towards the rejection of metaphysical and mythological thought, and have: (i) demonstrated a deep appreciation for a systematic, non-metaphysical study of the natural world, (ii) set the foundations of comparative and human anatomy, (iii) established the first (indirect) definition of the "physiologist", and (iv) exercised a dominant influence upon the subsequent history of Hellenistic, European and Arabic Medicine. The current letter provides a short commentary on the historical account of Physiology as a scientific field and underlines the unique legacy that Aristotle has provided us with.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zarros, Dr Apostolos
• Authors: Zarros, A.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D051 Ancient History; Q Science > QP Physiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Acta Physiologica Hungarica
• Publisher: Akadémiai Kiadó
• ISSN: 0231-424X
• ISSN (Online): 1588-2683