Heart in the work of the eminent Greek philosopher and physician Aristotle (384-322 BC)

ABSTRACT

Aristotle (384-322 BC), the founder of the peripatetic sect of philosophers was a polymath and his work covers almost every major area of human inquiry such as physics, biology, metaphysics, ethics, rhetoric and politics. However, it seems that he had an inclination for the investigation of nature and human being. The heart is considered by Aristotle as the source of life, the part wherein the “psychical fire” is kept burning, the place of passions where all the feelings end and the true seat of the soul. His notions on anatomy were revised by the physicians of the Alexandrian school of medicine, but they prevailed over centuries till the leading discovery of William Harvey (1578-1657) on blood circulation.

Keywords: Aristotle, history of cardiology, heart.

Address for correspondence:
Marianna KARAMANOU
Medical School, University of Crete, Greece
Address: P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
E-mail: mariannakaramanou@yahoo.com; Phone +30 6973606804