Aristotle

Question 1

What are Aristotle’s ideas about the ‘prime mover’?

Answer 1

In his Metaphysics, Aristotle introduced the concept of the Prime Mover - a pure, eternal and necessary being that causes motion and change in the universe without itself being moved or changed. The unmoved mover is the final cause (the ultimate purpose or end). Aristotle believed that everything in the universe moves and changes in accordance with its final cause.

Question 2

Give the dates of Aristotle

Answer 2

384-322 BCE

Question 3

What were Aristotle’s 4 causes?

Answer 3

1. Material cause - what material or substance it is made of (eg. bronze or marble to make a statue)
2. Formal cause - it’s shape, pattern or blueprint (eg. a human-like form or pose for a statue)
3. Efficient cause - the agent or mechanism that brings something into existence (eg. a sculptor or the carving process for a statue)
4. Final cause - the purpose or end for which something exists (eg. a statue being a piece of art or honouring a figure)

Question 4

What does Aristotle believe is the ultimate goal of life?

Answer 4

Eudamonia - human happiness and flourishing

Question 5

What does Aristotle believe everybody has?

Answer 5

A telos - an end or purpose