Aristotle Flashcards
Where did Aristotle argue that we gain knowledge from
Aristotle argued that we gain knowledge from our observations and experience, which we learn about through our senses. This belief made him the first empiricist philosopher.
What key similarities and differences were there in the views of Plato and Aristotle
Similarity-Like Plato , Aristotle observed that everything in our world is changing or moving
Difference -Aristotle rejected Platos view that there is another realm which is the object of true knowledge
What key questions did Aristotle want to understand
Aristotle wanted to understand:
- Why everything is in a constant state of change and motion
- How things maintain their identity through change
What did Aristotle notice about movements in the world
Aristotle noticed that everything in the universe moves constantly between actuality (what a thing is or does) and potentiality( what a thing can become-the ability for change). E.g the kettle is actually full of cold water but has the potential to be hot
What does Aristotle say about all change in the world
Aristotle asserts that all change in the world can be explained by four causes( characteristics) which are shared by all things in the world
-Aristotle says that our knowledge of something is richer and deeper when we understand it’s four causes. When considered holistically, the four causes give us true knowledge
What is the material cause
The material cause is the matter (material or substance) that something is made up of for example the material cause of a silver ring is silver
What is the efficient cause
The efficient cause is the process of something coming into existence- the process of change e.g the efficient cause of the silver ring is the silver smith who used matter to make the ring
-The efficient cause explains the process of change from potentiality to actuality (e.g a lump of silver has the potential to be a ring but needs a silversmith to act on it and turn it into a piece of jewellery)
What is the formal cause of an object
The formal cause of an object is how we recognise what something is- its shape, for, or characteristics
For example the formal cause of a silver ring is its circular shape and hole
The formal cause explains the change by describing the result of the change from the material cause, through the efficient cause to the object that is
What is the Final cause of an object
The final cause describes the purpose of something e.g why it is here
For example
The final cause of the silver ring is to look beautiful or show the commitment of two individuals
What example did Aristotle give to illustrate his point of the four causes
Aristotle gave the example of a statue to illustrate the four causes
- Material cause: It is made of marble
- Formal cause: it has the shape of a statue
- Efficient cause: A stonemason made it
- Final cause( purpose): to be beautiful and honour and recall something/ someone
Why does Aristotle say that the final cause is important
Aristotle says the final cause is important because it explains why the world is as it is and objects are as they are
What does Aristotle teach about purpose
- Aristotle claims everything in the universe has a purpose. So everything has a reason for being
- Humans also do things for a purpose e.g they listen to music in order to relax
- As each individual person has a purpose so does the universe itself
What does Aristotle teach about goodness
Aristotle claims that goodness is intrinsic to an object. This enables us to determine wether something is good or not
For him an object is good if it fulfills its potential e,g a good axe is one that cuts well
