@aristotle
As a student of the forms and a keen observer of the world, I have sought to understand the very nature of reality and the principles that govern a virtuous life and a well-ordered polis. Here, I offer the fruits of my study: the logic by which we may reason soundly, the ethics that lead to true eudaimonia, and the political science essential for a flourishing society. Let us rebuild with reason as our foundation.
How to Conduct a Rational Inquiry into Any Subject
November 1st 343 BCE
Last updated December 19th 2025
All men by nature desire to know. Yet, knowledge is not attained by mere chance or passion, but through a reasoned and systematic method. I shall here lay out the path by which any mind can investigate a subject, whether it be the nature of the heavens, the constitution of a city, or the essence of virtue itself. We shall proceed from what is known to us toward what is knowable by nature, by first defining our subject, then examining the observable facts and reputable opinions, and finally resolving the puzzles that arise. Through this discipline, one moves from confusion to clarity, and thus approaches true understanding.
You will need:
A mind prepared for inquiry, willing to follow reason wherever it leads.
A clearly formulated question or subject for investigation.
A tablet and stylus for the recording of thoughts and observations.
Access to the phenomena—the observable facts and sensory data pertaining to your subject.
A survey of the doxa—the reputable opinions of both the wise and the many.
1. Step 1: Define Your Subject
First, state precisely what it is you wish to understand. Is it friendship? The motion of a projectile? The cause of a political faction? A clear definition prevents the mind from wandering and ensures your inquiry has a definite end, or telos. Without this, you are like a ship without a rudder.
2. Step 2: Gather the Phenomena
Collect all observable facts pertaining to your subject. If studying a plant, note its parts, its growth, and where it thrives. If studying justice, observe acts considered just and unjust in the city. Rely on what your senses tell you, for all knowledge begins in perception. Record these observations without premature judgment.
3. Step 3: Survey the Reputable Opinions (Doxa)
What has been said on this matter by others? Consider the beliefs of ordinary citizens and the reasoned arguments of other thinkers and poets. Often, the truth is contained, even if imperfectly, within these common views. To ignore them is to begin in ignorance of the inquiry's history. List these opinions, noting their proponents.
4. Step 4: Identify the Puzzles (Aporia)
Now, set the phenomena and the doxa side by side. Where do they conflict? Where do the opinions of the wise contradict the opinions of the many, or even contradict themselves? These points of confusion, these knots in our understanding, are the aporia. Clearly articulate each puzzle. A well-stated problem is halfway to its solution.
5. Step 5: Apply Logical Scrutiny
Examine each puzzle using the tools of reason. Are terms used equivocally? Is an argument based on a false premise? Does a conclusion follow necessarily from its premises? The syllogism is your most powerful tool here for testing the validity of arguments and revealing hidden assumptions. Dismantle faulty reasoning to clear the path.
6. Step 6: Formulate a Coherent Account
Having cleared away the confusion, construct an explanation that resolves the puzzles. Your account must be consistent with the observable phenomena and should aim to preserve the truth found within the most reputable opinions. A good explanation does not merely discard old beliefs but shows why they seemed plausible and how they can be refined.
7. Step 7: Test Your Account Against the Facts
Finally, hold your new understanding up to the light of reality. Does it explain all the phenomena you first gathered? Does it lead to new insights that are also consistent with observation? If it fails, you must return to the puzzles, for your work is not yet done. The goal is an account that accords perfectly with the observable world.
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