Is "Western thought" primarily Aristotelian or Platonic?

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The discussion centers on the influence of Aristotle and Plato on Western civilization, particularly in relation to their contributions to science and philosophy. One viewpoint emphasizes Aristotle's proto-scientific perspective, suggesting that his ideas laid foundational principles for scientific thought. In contrast, there is recognition that both philosophers have significantly shaped our understanding of the world, with an acknowledgment that their philosophical discussions may diverge from scientific inquiry. The debate highlights the interplay between philosophical ideas and their impact on the development of scientific methodologies.
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I was arguing with my friend over this topic.

In your opinion, whose thoughts influenced western civilization more, Aristotle or Plato?
 
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I think the discussion of both points of view have influenced how we view the world.
 
Would you say one contributed more to the development of science than the other? I've always thought that Aristotle's worldview was proto-scientific, or proto-naturalist. Or at least a precursor for scientific thought.
 
I'm afraid this gets into philosophy, which has nothing to do with science.
 
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