What aspect of Western thought was significantly influenced by Aristotle?

Aristotle's impact on Western thought is profound, particularly in the realms of natural sciences and ethics. His method of systematic observation and categorization laid the groundwork for scientific inquiry, which emphasizes empirical evidence and logical reasoning. Aristotle's approach to the natural world involved careful observation and classification of organisms, which echoes through to modern scientific methods. Moreover, Aristotle's ethical philosophy, primarily articulated in his work "Nicomachean Ethics," introduced concepts such as virtue ethics, where moral virtue is seen as a mean between extremes, fundamentally shaping ethical theories that followed. His belief that understanding the purpose (or "telos") of things is crucial for determining their nature influences not just ethics but also various fields of study, shaping the way Western thought approached both sciences and moral philosophy.

The other aspects mentioned, such as mathematics, rhetoric, and political systems, while also significant in their own right, do not encapsulate the breadth of Aristotle's influence compared to his contributions in natural sciences and ethics.