It is without a doubt that Aristotle's theories and principles have influenced Western civilization for decades. According to Hergenhahn (2009) the philosopher's De Anima plays an important role in psychology because it is considered the first text on the history of psychology. It is within that book that Aristotle tries to define the mind and the soul: psychê. He later based his theories regarding psychology on his definition of the psyche. To develop his own definition of mind and soul, Aristotle proposed the idea of ​​empirical studies of behavior as evidence for his theories. Not only that, it instilled the idea that empirical observation alone is not enough. It is only with empiricist and rationalist methods that it is possible to produce optimal data. So it is through those discoveries that Aristotle formulated his definition of mind and soul on which he later based his theories. Therefore, throughout the history of psychology, his theories have been used as a backbone that psychologists subsequently disputed. His theories are the fuel that has forced psychological research to continue, to the point that it has branched out from philosophy to form its own field. Psychology is undoubtedly a study of human behavior. Like many others after him, Aristotle's analysis of psychology involved observation. That is, empirical analysis of data was collected to which inferences were made. Hergenhahn (2009) states that the philosopher's point of view involves obtaining information through the senses, but this can only be done with the right sense of mind. This is one of the reasons why Aristotle stated that rationalism and empiricism should be employed together. It is also based on that opinion that Aristotle constructed his...... middle of paper ...... The importance of the psyche created various fields for future psychological theories to be based on and influence modern psychologists. In essence, does it matter that the philosopher was wrong in his conclusions? Taking into account that modern psychology is where it is now due to people disputing Aristotle's philosophies on the psyche, you might not think so. Works Cited Baumrin, J (1975). Aristotle's empirical nativism. American Psychologist, 30(4), 486-494. Green, C, & Groff, P (2003). The first psychological thought. Wesport, CT: Praeger Publsihers.Haslam, N (1991). Prudence: Aristotelian perspectives on practical reason. Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior, 21(2), 151-166.Hergenhahn, B. (2009). Introduction to the history of psychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Wedin, M. (1989). Introduction to Aristotle's psychology. Psychological criticism, 36(11), 937-939.