“Some kinds of animals burrow in the ground; others do not. Some animals are nocturnal, as the owl and the bat; others use the hours of daylight. There are tame animals and wild animals. Man and the mule are always tame; the leopard and the wolf are invariably wild, and others, as the elephant, are easily tamed.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
- A student of Plato, he constructed systematic knowledge in logic, biology, politics, ethics, etc., and had a major impact on the development of Western thought and science
Quote
“Some kinds of animals burrow in the ground; others do not. Some animals are nocturnal, as the owl and the bat; others use the hours of daylight. There are tame animals and wild animals. Man and the mule are always tame; the leopard and the wolf are invariably wild, and others, as the elephant, are easily tamed.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle explores the behavioral traits and habitats of different animals, categorizing them based on their natural tendencies. He highlights various distinctions: some animals burrow into the earth for protection, while others do not; some are active during the night, such as the owl and the bat, while others thrive in the daylight. Aristotle further divides animals into tame and wild categories, noting that some species, like humans and mules, are typically tame, while others, like the leopard and the wolf, remain wild. However, he also recognizes that some wild animals, like the elephant, can be trained and domesticated with time and effort.
Aristotle’s observations touch on the broader theme of nature and how different species adapt to their environment or are shaped by their inherent characteristics. This idea can be applied not just to animals but to human behavior as well, as people, like animals, display a variety of natural inclinations and temperaments that influence their ability to adapt or conform to social structures and expectations.
This framework is still relevant in understanding human nature and animal behavior today. For instance, in animal behavior studies, scientists observe how some species are more easily domesticated or trained, while others retain more independent or wild traits. Similarly, in human society, some people may be more inclined to follow societal rules, while others may resist or struggle with conformity. Aristotle’s quote encourages us to reflect on how both instinct and environment shape behavior, whether in the animal kingdom or human society, and how certain traits can be more malleable than others.
