Aristotle’s Philosophy, from its being upheld by the Roman Catholic
theology, was lowered in a corresponding degree by the Reformation.
Hence it fell into undeserved neglect during the latter part of the
seventeenth and the whole of the eighteenth century. Of late years,
however, the true worth of his writings has been more fully appreciated,
and the study of his best treatises has been much revived. Dr. Holland
remarks: “The whole of Aristotle’s writings on Sleep, and other
collateral topics, deserve much more frequent perusal than is given to
them in the present day.” The geological theory of Lyell, viz. that the
causes which produce geological phenomena are in constant and gradual
operation, is the theory of Aristotle and John Ray brought down to our
present state of knowledge.
It has been well said that Solomon, Aristotle, and Bacon are the only
three men, since our race appeared on earth, who would have been
justified in saying that “they took all knowledge for their province.”