1. Plato + Aristotle: The Prime Mover Flashcards
why must there be a PM?
Aristotle realised that the universe was in a constant state of change and motion - therefore there must be some efficient cause (creator) to make this change and motion happen. (and he did not think that endless cause and effect provided a satisfactory solution.)
This cause of the universe must be the Prime Mover
what is the PM
Aristotle’s Prime Mover, also known as the Unmoved Mover, is a key concept in his metaphysical and theological philosophy.
According to Aristotle, the Prime Mover is a purely spiritual necessary being which actualises the potential in everything else, it was the first cause of all substances.
But it does not cause movement physically - instead it just attracts things towards it.
but - It is also the final cause of all things in the universe and the efficient cause of change.
However, the prime Mover must be able to cause without being affected (otherwise it would simply be another link in the endless chain of change)
The prime mover must have no potential as it is ‘fully actualised’ or ‘pure actuality’ with no potential to be changed or acted upon.
it does nothing analogy (________)
G.Hughes - used the analogy of a bowl of milk being the unchanging prime mover and a cat being the universe.
why must unchanging, perfect PM be necessary
- Necessary - it cannot depend on anything for its existence or it would be liable to come out of existence and therefore change . God has no potential and therefore must exist independently.
why must pm be eternal
- Eternal - It has no potential therefore cannot change by ceasing to exist. Therefore it must have always existed. And ‘Time is a measure of change’
why must pm be perfectly good
Because badness is related to a lack - Augustine, evil is a privation of good- but the prime mover is ‘fully actual’
why must pm be immaterial and beyond time and space
All matter is capable of being acted upon therefore it cannot be made of matter. But then if the PM is immaterial it cannot physically act or think and therefore must be purely spiritual.
two words - the prime mover is ..
wholly simple.
how is the final cause linked to the PM
In Aristotle’s philosophy, the final cause is intimately connected to the Prime Mover, as the final cause of all things in the universe is to move toward and become like the Prime Mover. This means that the final cause of all things is to achieve their highest potential, which is to imitate the perfection and beauty of the Prime Mover.
