Final answer:
Aristotle emphasized empirical observation and the practical application of philosophy, focusing on ethics, politics, and natural sciences. He believed in the comprehensibility of the universe and in the importance of using reason to improve human life, contrasting with Plato's focus on transcendental forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristotle, a pivotal figure in ancient philosophy and the student of Plato diverged from his teacher in several significant ways. He emphasized that the reality we can perceive with our senses, though imperfect, is trustworthy and provides us with genuine insights into the workings of the world—a reality that was dismissed by Plato, who focused more on the transcendental world. One of the key aspects Aristotle emphasized the most was the empirical observation of the natural world, which led to his extensive work in various areas, including biology, physics, and politics.
Aristotle contended that humans are "political animals" and believed that understanding and improving politics could be achieved through human reasoning and invention.
This is reflected in his focus on ethics, where he explored the relationships, justice, friendship, and governance in the human world. His concept of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, indicates that he placed significant importance on the practical application of philosophy to achieve a good life.
Overall, Aristotle's contribution to philosophy and science was rooted in the belief that the universe was comprehensible and that it was the duty of the philosopher to understand it as completely as possible. His canon emphasized the practical over the theoretical, an approach that reverberates through his extensive studies in logic, metaphysics, ethics, and the natural sciences.