What does peripateticism mean?
Peripateticism most commonly denotes the philosophical tradition associated with Aristotle and his school. Its name comes from the Greek peripatein, meaning “to walk about,” reflecting the tradition that Aristotle and his students discussed subjects while walking. The word can also refer more generally to a life or habit characterized by continual movement from place to place, although this sense is less common and has a somewhat literary character. In philosophical discussion, Peripateticism is important because it identifies a coherent body of inquiry shaped by Aristotle's work in logic, metaphysics, ethics, biology, and political thought. The name captures the school's distinctive association with walking, but its significance lies in the influential philosophical system developed within that tradition rather than in locomotion itself.
The doctrine and philosophical tradition associated with Aristotle and his followers.
"The scholar specialized in Peripateticism and the history of ancient philosophy."
Chiefly used in historical and philosophical contexts.
A habit or way of life characterized by continual movement from place to place.
"His years of travel amounted to a form of intellectual Peripateticism."
This extended sense is literary and relatively uncommon.
The plural is possible but uncommon, as the word is normally used in a singular historical or philosophical context.
"The study compared different forms of Peripateticism across the ancient Mediterranean."
Peripateticism takes its name from a school whose members supposedly kept learning on the move: Aristotle taught while walking.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of peripateticism
The word ultimately derives from Greek peripatein, “to walk about,” and related forms meaning “to pace.” The English term entered through Latin as peripateticus and became associated with Aristotle's school, whose members were called Peripatetics because they were traditionally believed to teach while walking. The underlying notion of movement also connects the word with forms such as peripatus, while the shared ancient root appears more broadly in words connected with the foot, including pedestrian and pedometer.
Related word forms
How peripateticism is actually used
In its principal philosophical sense, the term is usually historical and academic. The broader sense of constant movement is more literary and may sound old-fashioned.