Dan Schreiber

I wouldn't assume that. No? Okay. Well, no, because clearly he's gone into the natural sciences. Plato is going, this guy's lost the plot. He'd be the equivalent of a fringe scientist these days. You'd be like, what's happened to this guy? The brain's gone faulty.

I wouldn't assume that. No? Okay. Well, no, because clearly he's gone into the natural sciences. Plato is going, this guy's lost the plot. He'd be the equivalent of a fringe scientist these days. You'd be like, what's happened to this guy? The brain's gone faulty.

He'd be in your book, couldn't he? Oh, absolutely. Yeah. No, I assume because of the power of Plato as well that other people around him would be going, Why is he looking at mushrooms? What's going on?

He'd be in your book, couldn't he? Oh, absolutely. Yeah. No, I assume because of the power of Plato as well that other people around him would be going, Why is he looking at mushrooms? What's going on?

Well, I don't know. Give me a bit more about Lesbos. What is the island like? Is it populated at this point? It is.

Well, I don't know. Give me a bit more about Lesbos. What is the island like? Is it populated at this point? It is.

I'm going to be a thing I've just invented.

I'm going to be a thing I've just invented.

Imagine if you were able to tell him the influence he's had on the world. Adam's family's pet octopus. The question of what did he do with his daughter? I want to know if sometimes scientists do look at their young as possibly an experiment. That's why I was asking about the island. Was it to separate the daughter from the mainland so as to just bring her up believing in weird stuff? Right.

Imagine if you were able to tell him the influence he's had on the world. Adam's family's pet octopus. The question of what did he do with his daughter? I want to know if sometimes scientists do look at their young as possibly an experiment. That's why I was asking about the island. Was it to separate the daughter from the mainland so as to just bring her up believing in weird stuff? Right.

Hey, thanks for having me. I have to say, Aristotle, from what you were saying just before we started recording, absolutely the type of person I'd want to sit down and ask weird questions to. He sounds really interesting.

Hey, thanks for having me. I have to say, Aristotle, from what you were saying just before we started recording, absolutely the type of person I'd want to sit down and ask weird questions to. He sounds really interesting.

Yeah. But it does sound like it doesn't matter what his life circumstance would have been. The curious mind would have just explored any surrounding. I think that's exactly right.

Yeah. But it does sound like it doesn't matter what his life circumstance would have been. The curious mind would have just explored any surrounding. I think that's exactly right.

Yeah, but it was easier.

Yeah, but it was easier.

Guys, controversial theory. I think he might have been a time traveler. This feels like someone who's like almost a glitch.

Guys, controversial theory. I think he might have been a time traveler. This feels like someone who's like almost a glitch.

Yeah. Like too much information just poured out of one person.

Yeah. Like too much information just poured out of one person.

I think if we are living in a simulation, he got the extra weapons.

I think if we are living in a simulation, he got the extra weapons.

Well, I needed to hear the evidence first. And clearly... It's like Cyborg Aristotle. Something's going on. Yeah. But already, you know, this is not your average human. People listening are going to be like, yes, Dan. That's why we're talking about him. Exactly, yeah.

Well, I needed to hear the evidence first. And clearly... It's like Cyborg Aristotle. Something's going on. Yeah. But already, you know, this is not your average human. People listening are going to be like, yes, Dan. That's why we're talking about him. Exactly, yeah.

I think the teeth one is real. I think he actually pushed that, which that's one of the few things I know about Aristotle to think. But do you know what? Maybe women had fewer teeth back then. Maybe that's an evolutionary quirk that's happened since his time. Elephants can't bend their knees. I bet, did he ever see an elephant? That would be my first question. Elephants on Lesbos? Not sure.

I think the teeth one is real. I think he actually pushed that, which that's one of the few things I know about Aristotle to think. But do you know what? Maybe women had fewer teeth back then. Maybe that's an evolutionary quirk that's happened since his time. Elephants can't bend their knees. I bet, did he ever see an elephant? That would be my first question. Elephants on Lesbos? Not sure.

But everyone else is an idiot compared to this guy. He's just going to take that. I'm going to say the elephant's one is the one that he disproved. You're right.

But everyone else is an idiot compared to this guy. He's just going to take that. I'm going to say the elephant's one is the one that he disproved. You're right.

No, I'm equally as ignorant in ancient Greece as I am at that time. But I'm fascinated by this period because it feels like this is the moment that science erupted. I know that Aristotle's often called the first scientist.

No, I'm equally as ignorant in ancient Greece as I am at that time. But I'm fascinated by this period because it feels like this is the moment that science erupted. I know that Aristotle's often called the first scientist.

But I imagine at the time that would have been such like a dinner party conversation. Have you heard Aristotle's latest? Women have fewer teeth. Quick, let's count. And then gradually you'd realise, I'm not sure, is he?

But I imagine at the time that would have been such like a dinner party conversation. Have you heard Aristotle's latest? Women have fewer teeth. Quick, let's count. And then gradually you'd realise, I'm not sure, is he?

Yeah, I don't think it should be laughed at anyway. I think this is a genius who was doing a lot of stuff. And yeah, you're occasionally going to have to abandon the latest thing.

Yeah, I don't think it should be laughed at anyway. I think this is a genius who was doing a lot of stuff. And yeah, you're occasionally going to have to abandon the latest thing.

There you go.

There you go.

That's the dedication. Yeah. Didn't he have a thing about flies as well?

That's the dedication. Yeah. Didn't he have a thing about flies as well?

So what I love is the mixture of both interesting and true facts that have come through to today and then outrageous claims that were so verifiable at the time that seem to have just been taken as fact. And actually, that's my sweet spot. I think that's where I would have preferred to have lived. So, what do you know?

So what I love is the mixture of both interesting and true facts that have come through to today and then outrageous claims that were so verifiable at the time that seem to have just been taken as fact. And actually, that's my sweet spot. I think that's where I would have preferred to have lived. So, what do you know?

Well, I've heard his name being mentioned a few times this episode, Alexander the Great. Not yet great. Not yet great. Alexander the... The brat.

Well, I've heard his name being mentioned a few times this episode, Alexander the Great. Not yet great. Not yet great. Alexander the... The brat.

Wow. Well, if I was Aristotle... Well, you've got three sons, right? I have three sons. Yeah. I feel like it's a bit... I've got modern knowledge. I'm trying to put myself back into fourth century. Okay. Class on Excel spreadsheets.

Wow. Well, if I was Aristotle... Well, you've got three sons, right? I have three sons. Yeah. I feel like it's a bit... I've got modern knowledge. I'm trying to put myself back into fourth century. Okay. Class on Excel spreadsheets.

I always get the impression that the children of a dictator are a bit scary at that age.

I always get the impression that the children of a dictator are a bit scary at that age.

Because they feel they can push everyone around.

Because they feel they can push everyone around.

Yeah. So the question is, this is not normal teaching circumstances. You put your foot wrong, you might get killed, right, by the dad. So you've got to play into sort of like a lesson on my family and other villains playing You know, teaching them. But you also want to put love and interest into that.

Yeah. So the question is, this is not normal teaching circumstances. You put your foot wrong, you might get killed, right, by the dad. So you've got to play into sort of like a lesson on my family and other villains playing You know, teaching them. But you also want to put love and interest into that.

No, he wants to put, well, you've got the most curious man alive who's been tasked with a fertile brain who could change the world. I mean, that's a perfect combo, really.

No, he wants to put, well, you've got the most curious man alive who's been tasked with a fertile brain who could change the world. I mean, that's a perfect combo, really.

It must have been so hard to toe that line and maybe get in the subtle lessons of goodness while also making the dad feel like he's not got a child who might not be a great warrior themselves. So, yeah, but largely Excel spreadsheets.

It must have been so hard to toe that line and maybe get in the subtle lessons of goodness while also making the dad feel like he's not got a child who might not be a great warrior themselves. So, yeah, but largely Excel spreadsheets.

We don't get a sense that he had a good time in Macedonia. No. Do we know much about what Alexander the Great mentioned about him

We don't get a sense that he had a good time in Macedonia. No. Do we know much about what Alexander the Great mentioned about him

On the curriculum question, I do feel like I would have a superpower to be a teacher back then because I do very often, in the various other things that I do, say something that sounds factual, sounds confident, but is absolutely not true, it turns out. And people believe me because of the rest of my... You have a natural authority.

On the curriculum question, I do feel like I would have a superpower to be a teacher back then because I do very often, in the various other things that I do, say something that sounds factual, sounds confident, but is absolutely not true, it turns out. And people believe me because of the rest of my... You have a natural authority.

You do. And in this day and age, unfortunately, people can Google it and tell me I'm right.

You do. And in this day and age, unfortunately, people can Google it and tell me I'm right.

Is he received back into Athens as a kind of returning...

Is he received back into Athens as a kind of returning...

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

63.

63.

With your husband cosplaying a lot.

With your husband cosplaying a lot.

Okay, nice. I've never read any Aristotle. If I went now to a bookshop and had to get one of his writing, what is the one?

Okay, nice. I've never read any Aristotle. If I went now to a bookshop and had to get one of his writing, what is the one?

He's definitely real, right, Aristotle? Yeah. Because there's so many of these characters from this period where the stuff was written about them all these years after and you find out, oh, Pythagoras, was that a real guy? Aristotle's like, we know he's real.

He's definitely real, right, Aristotle? Yeah. Because there's so many of these characters from this period where the stuff was written about them all these years after and you find out, oh, Pythagoras, was that a real guy? Aristotle's like, we know he's real.

Yeah, there's no new jokes, apparently.

Yeah, there's no new jokes, apparently.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Was it the snake woman? No.

Was it the snake woman? No.

Because he was a fringe scientist that no one wanted to hear about his weird mushroom theories.

Because he was a fringe scientist that no one wanted to hear about his weird mushroom theories.

He was a natural scientist. And there was a Nepo baby ready to take over. A Nepo baby. It's a shame that the Nepo baby was not called Nepotism. I feel like that would have been a Greek. True.

He was a natural scientist. And there was a Nepo baby ready to take over. A Nepo baby. It's a shame that the Nepo baby was not called Nepotism. I feel like that would have been a Greek. True.

Alexander, not yet the great. Very good. The brat.

Alexander, not yet the great. Very good. The brat.

Was it the simple idea that... You will be happy if you do what makes you happy and do good.

Was it the simple idea that... You will be happy if you do what makes you happy and do good.

I'm massively team. I mean, outside of the stuff that is very questionable, I think in terms of if I'm looking at him purely as someone... who was thinking differently, uniquely. What a brain, what an extraordinary footprint to have left on our planet, to have created marine biology, to have been the name of an octopus in the original Addams Family movie.

I'm massively team. I mean, outside of the stuff that is very questionable, I think in terms of if I'm looking at him purely as someone... who was thinking differently, uniquely. What a brain, what an extraordinary footprint to have left on our planet, to have created marine biology, to have been the name of an octopus in the original Addams Family movie.

What I would love to do now is just work out how much of modern day life is thanks to his brain, this one brain, this one blip of consciousness that has, yeah, and I think he's got a great champion in you. You wrote a book called The Aristotle's Way.

What I would love to do now is just work out how much of modern day life is thanks to his brain, this one brain, this one blip of consciousness that has, yeah, and I think he's got a great champion in you. You wrote a book called The Aristotle's Way.

Okay, I'm reading that because ancient wisdom being relevant today, I think is something we often forget. Lovely stuff.

Okay, I'm reading that because ancient wisdom being relevant today, I think is something we often forget. Lovely stuff.

Bibliotherapy. Therapy by books.

Bibliotherapy. Therapy by books.

Does he cross over with any other great notable character from history, if you were looking global? Kind of like Cervantes and Shakespeare were living in the same period, right?

Does he cross over with any other great notable character from history, if you were looking global? Kind of like Cervantes and Shakespeare were living in the same period, right?

Yeah, I don't fully know what a Turkish life when you're 13 is like. Okay, so what was he doing? Was there any sports at the time? Oh, yeah. I'm sort of going off Monty Python sketches here, but yeah.

Yeah, I don't fully know what a Turkish life when you're 13 is like. Okay, so what was he doing? Was there any sports at the time? Oh, yeah. I'm sort of going off Monty Python sketches here, but yeah.

You say you knew a lot about horses. This is one few things I know about him, is that didn't he believe that certain winds, if they hit your horse, could fertilise your horse?

You say you knew a lot about horses. This is one few things I know about him, is that didn't he believe that certain winds, if they hit your horse, could fertilise your horse?

Did he possibly invent the, but why? That's Socrates. That's Socrates.

Did he possibly invent the, but why? That's Socrates. That's Socrates.

Yeah. That's wild.

Yeah. That's wild.

Yeah. Who came after? I know we might get into it later, but was there a fourth after Aristotle?

Yeah. Who came after? I know we might get into it later, but was there a fourth after Aristotle?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Son of a doctor, great mythical god as a great, great, great grandparent. Were they buddies? Did he bring them in to make him nickname worthy?

Son of a doctor, great mythical god as a great, great, great grandparent. Were they buddies? Did he bring them in to make him nickname worthy?

As in, would everyone else been in their 20s and 30s?

As in, would everyone else been in their 20s and 30s?

Okay, very good.

Okay, very good.

Was it Aristotle who thought that maybe the plant life had souls?

Was it Aristotle who thought that maybe the plant life had souls?

Appropriate wit. What did he label himself as?

Appropriate wit. What did he label himself as?

Where's his daughter at this point?

Where's his daughter at this point?

No, I'm equally as ignorant in ancient Greece as I am at that time. So what do you know?

No, I'm equally as ignorant in ancient Greece as I am at that time. So what do you know?

How big are these books? Are we talking word count per book?

How big are these books? Are we talking word count per book?

Yeah, that's beautiful.

Yeah, that's beautiful.

It's very simple. Yeah. I think it's true as well. He doesn't need my backing.

It's very simple. Yeah. I think it's true as well. He doesn't need my backing.

That's very important. So be here now. He's very zen, isn't he?

That's very important. So be here now. He's very zen, isn't he?

So you know that classic question of if you could have a dinner party with any guests from history. So Aristotle seems like he's the perfect guest to be there. Out of curiosity, if he was at my dinner party and he saw women at the table at my other, what would he be saying there?

So you know that classic question of if you could have a dinner party with any guests from history. So Aristotle seems like he's the perfect guest to be there. Out of curiosity, if he was at my dinner party and he saw women at the table at my other, what would he be saying there?

That's a shame because Helen's also at my dinner party. Sorry, Helen, got to go.

That's a shame because Helen's also at my dinner party. Sorry, Helen, got to go.

And is that... That's unusual. That's unusual. Okay. There still is a bit of a plot twist on Aristotle. But, you know, that is going to happen.

And is that... That's unusual. That's unusual. Okay. There still is a bit of a plot twist on Aristotle. But, you know, that is going to happen.

Yeah, he's all right. Yeah, no, what an incredible life. It feels silly, again, saying that, because obviously it must be an incredible life, but I was surprised by how few details I knew about what he had actually achieved.

Yeah, he's all right. Yeah, no, what an incredible life. It feels silly, again, saying that, because obviously it must be an incredible life, but I was surprised by how few details I knew about what he had actually achieved.

I'm massively team. I mean, outside of the stuff that is very questionable, I think in terms of I'm looking at him purely as someone... who was thinking differently, uniquely. What a brain, what an extraordinary footprint to have left on our planet, to have created marine biology, to have been the name of an octopus in the original Addams Family movie.

I'm massively team. I mean, outside of the stuff that is very questionable, I think in terms of I'm looking at him purely as someone... who was thinking differently, uniquely. What a brain, what an extraordinary footprint to have left on our planet, to have created marine biology, to have been the name of an octopus in the original Addams Family movie.

What I would love to do now is just work out how much of modern day life is thanks to his brain, this one brain.

What I would love to do now is just work out how much of modern day life is thanks to his brain, this one brain.

Bibliotherapy. Therapy by books.

Bibliotherapy. Therapy by books.

He's definitely real, right, Aristotle? Yeah. Because there's so many of these characters from this period where the stuff was written about them all these years after and you find out, oh, Pythagoras, was that a real guy? Aristotle's like, we know he's real.

He's definitely real, right, Aristotle? Yeah. Because there's so many of these characters from this period where the stuff was written about them all these years after and you find out, oh, Pythagoras, was that a real guy? Aristotle's like, we know he's real.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Does he cross over with any other great notable character from history, if you were looking global, kind of like Cervantes and Shakespeare were living? in the same period, right?

Does he cross over with any other great notable character from history, if you were looking global, kind of like Cervantes and Shakespeare were living? in the same period, right?

I'm sort of going off Monty Python sketches here, but...

I'm sort of going off Monty Python sketches here, but...

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's wild. Was there a fourth after Aristotle? Theophrastus. Yeah.

That's wild. Was there a fourth after Aristotle? Theophrastus. Yeah.

Appropriate wit. What did he label himself as? Was he appropriate?

Appropriate wit. What did he label himself as? Was he appropriate?

I wouldn't assume that. No? Okay. Well, no, because clearly he's gone into the natural sciences. Plato is going, this guy's lost the plot. He'd be the equivalent of a fringe scientist these days. You'd be like, what's happened to this guy? He was so, the brain's gone faulty.

I wouldn't assume that. No? Okay. Well, no, because clearly he's gone into the natural sciences. Plato is going, this guy's lost the plot. He'd be the equivalent of a fringe scientist these days. You'd be like, what's happened to this guy? He was so, the brain's gone faulty.

I assume because of the power of Plato as well that other people around him would be going, why is he talking, why is he looking at mushrooms? What's going on?

I assume because of the power of Plato as well that other people around him would be going, why is he talking, why is he looking at mushrooms? What's going on?

I'm not going to take the bait, buddy.

I'm not going to take the bait, buddy.

Well, I don't know. Give me a bit more about Lesbos. What is the island like?

Well, I don't know. Give me a bit more about Lesbos. What is the island like?

Did he invent that?

Did he invent that?

Wow. The question of what did he do with his daughter, sometimes scientists do look at their young as possibly an experiment. And that's why I was asking about the island. Was it to separate the daughter from the mainland so as to just bring her up believing in weird stuff? But...

Wow. The question of what did he do with his daughter, sometimes scientists do look at their young as possibly an experiment. And that's why I was asking about the island. Was it to separate the daughter from the mainland so as to just bring her up believing in weird stuff? But...

Invent lemon studies. Yeah. But it does sound like he, it doesn't matter what his life circumstance would have been, the curious mind would have just explored any surrounding. I think that's exactly right. Right.

Invent lemon studies. Yeah. But it does sound like he, it doesn't matter what his life circumstance would have been, the curious mind would have just explored any surrounding. I think that's exactly right. Right.

Guys, controversial theory. I think he might have been a time traveler. This feels like someone who's like almost a glitch.

Guys, controversial theory. I think he might have been a time traveler. This feels like someone who's like almost a glitch.

Yeah. Like too much information just poured out.

Yeah. Like too much information just poured out.

I think if we are living in a simulation, he got the extra weapons.

I think if we are living in a simulation, he got the extra weapons.

Hey, thanks for having me. I have to say, Aristotle, from what you were saying just before we started recording, absolutely the kind of person I'd want to sit down and ask weird questions to. He sounds really interesting.

Hey, thanks for having me. I have to say, Aristotle, from what you were saying just before we started recording, absolutely the kind of person I'd want to sit down and ask weird questions to. He sounds really interesting.

Well, I needed to hear the evidence first. And clearly. It's like Cyborg Aristotle. Something's going on.

Well, I needed to hear the evidence first. And clearly. It's like Cyborg Aristotle. Something's going on.

Alexander the... The brat.

Alexander the... The brat.

Is he received back into Athens as a kind of returning hero?

Is he received back into Athens as a kind of returning hero?