Aristotle studied under Plato in (367-347 B.C.) and his contempt for the man led him to the Macedonian Court where he tutored Alexander the Great (342-339 B.C). Eventually, Aristole opened his own school in the Athenian Lyceum. After Alexander's death, Aristotle went to Chalcis and he eventually died there. Most of his work was lost after the fall of Rome, but was recovered later by Arab and Jewish scholars.
Rhetoric
We can basically say that Aristotle invented or at least refined the very use of syllogisms as a form of rhetoric; his style of writing always weighted the utility of an idea or form as the most important part. In fact, Aristotle, not beleiving in the Platonian conception of the highest good, believes that man's nature, or his best self, lies in perfecting his role as a rational being. Aristotle is also the source of the words pathos, ethos and logos, three different types of rhetoric, which are necessary components of any well written arguement.
Ethos: An appeal based on the character of the speaker. An ethos driven argument relies on the reputation of the speaker.
Logos: An appeal based on logic or Reason. In essence, the argument relies on its own intrinsic strength derived from what seems true.
Pathos: An argument based on emotion. This type of rhetoric relies on appealing to a reader's disposition to certain feelings.
As a side note, I should say that Aristotle's works have had a profound effect on my life. Aristotle's Ethics is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. It not only affected my perception of life, but changed me into a more rational and well-rounded human being. Aristotle would be proud. :)
