Aristotle Flashcards
What is logoi
Discourses
Aristotle had ____ dialogues, destroyed by the ___________
27, Visigoth invasion
Explain Aristotle’s Academy (5)
-Named after god Apollo Lyceus
-Lyceum
-Students known as peripatetic philosophers (philosophy + nature)
-mostly middle class
-anthropological students (anatomy, barbarian culture, nature)
Why is Aristotle referred to as “The Philosopher”
After he died, he was known as “the philosopher” because of his
Contributions to education:
-created first important library
-created logic
-taught Alexander (greatest ruler)
-shaped thinking
What is naturalism? why is Aristotle called “The Father of Science”?
Naturalism: the theory that reality consists of the natural world
-everything is discoverable with natures of law
-form and matter are always one
-the key to understanding anything lies in determining its essential purpose
Father of science?
-made large contributions to science through his endeavours of anatomy
-because he was a naturalist
-stated that form and matter are always found together and “Essence” is what makes something what it is
What is a philosophical naturalist + what do they believe
deny the existence of a supernatural world of reality (realm of forms)
-believe human beings are part of natural order and behave according to its fixed laws and principles
-to understand human behaviour, we must understand nature
Explain each of the “four causes”
The causes are Aristotle’s answers to the question “why” because he believes there are different types of whys. These explain the existence, nature, and behaviour of things.
Material cause: what something is composed of, what makes up an object/thing, wood, plastic, metal
Formal cause: the form something is changing into, the pattern or structure, distuginuishes from others
Efficient cause: what makes this thing exist, turns from potentiality to actuality
Final cause: the reason behind something’s existence, it’s purpose/ultimate end
Greek word for the reason for something happening
Aita
What is Aristotle’s hierarchy of souls?
According to Aristotle, there are three levels of soul and they are based off the potentialities of an animal life.
Vegetative/nutritive soul: animate matter, seek nourishment and growth.
Ex. Plants
Sensitive soul: registers information regarding the forms, but does not absorb or become those things
Ex. Animals
Rational soul: can analyze things, understand relationships, make rational decisions (called deliberation)
What is entelehcy?
Entelechy means “meant to be” or “having its end within itself”
-things do not just happen, they develop according to their natural design
-inner urge to reach ultimate end/purpose they have within themselves
-living things develop according to their natural order
If you achieve your entelechy, you become fulfilled
Explain teleological thinking and how it relates to happiness
Teleological thinking is a way of explaining something in terms of its ultimate end
Ex. Telos of infancy is adulthood
-from Greek word telos (end, purpose, goal)
-understanding things in terms of their entelechy
-he believes if one practices this type of thinking, they will realize their ultimate purpose of life, which will allow them to become fulfilled and act in accordance with their true nature.
What is sophrosyne
Temperance
Aristotle taught that the Golden mean is how to achieve. Good life. What did he mean by this?
The golden mean is a concept proposed by Aristotle concerning the balance of our virtues and vices neither extreme is palatable.
-He believed that a “good life” was the ultimate goal of human existence
-we must practice our virtues and habits that leads to a flourishing and fulfilling life
-Balance between excess and deficiency
-Practicing moderation and balance, we can cultivate virtues and live a good life.
Example: generosity
Stringiness: do not share with others
Extravagance: excess of giving, doesn’t think about oneself
