Aristotle

sometimes this man said some weird things.

The Brain is Just a Radiator

Aristotle believed the heart was the center of intelligence and emotion, while the brain was merely a cooling mechanism (a “radiator”) designed to cool the blood.

Women are “Disfigured Men”

Aristotle was intensely sexist, even by ancient standards. He argued that women were “monstrous” or “disfigured” males (an occasional monstrous state) because he believed they were inferior in intelligence and physical capability.

Eels and Insects Spontaneously Generate from Mud

Because he couldn’t find gonads in eels, he concluded they did not reproduce but simply grew out of mud or “earthy guts” (spontaneous generation). He applied this theory to flies, lice, and fireflies too.

Men Have More Teeth Than Women

He claimed men have more teeth than women in humans, sheep, goats, and pigs. Although he was married twice, he never bothered to check by looking in his wives’ mouths.

Objects Stop Moving Because They Get “Tired”

Aristotle didn’t understand friction. He believed that moving objects only continued moving while they were being acted upon, and once they stopped, it was because they had run out of “force” and become tired.

Heavier Objects Fall Faster

He believed that the speed of a falling object was directly proportional to its weight, a mistake that went unquestioned for nearly 2,000 years.

Goats Breathe Through Their Ears

He claimed that goats breathe through their ears, which he believed was proven by the shape of their ears.

Mad Dog Bites Only Affect Animals, Not Humans

In his History of Animals, he suggested that a person bitten by a mad dog will not go mad, but any other animal will.

Children Should Be Conceived in a North Wind

He claimed that children would be healthier and better-looking if they were conceived when the wind was blowing from the north.

Bees Have Eight Legs

He incorrectly described the number of legs on a bee.