Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Philosophy > Aristotle > Flashcards

Aristotle Flashcards

0
Q

what is the material cause?

A

the matter or substance from which something is made

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

what are Aristotle’s 4 causes used for?

A

to explain why things exist as they do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is the formal cause?

A

what gives the matter its ‘form’ or ‘structure’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is the efficient cause?

A

the cause of an object or thing existing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is the final cause?

A

the reason why something is the way it is

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what does aristotle emphasise?

A

the value of studying the physical world = empirical study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what does aristotle reject about plato?

A

his theory of forms because they are outside of the world and only known through the soul/mind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

other than the theory of forms, what does aristotle reject?

A

dualism and plato’s understanding of the soul

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what/who did aristotle take the stance of?

A

a materialist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the prime mover?

A

something which causes the motion and change of the universe without being moved

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

is the prime mover eternal?

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what must something that is eternal be?

A

necessarily good - because anything that is limited or changing is bad

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what does the PM exist by?

A

necessity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is the PM the final cause of?

A

everything

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is the prime mover linked with?

A

some roles we would understand god to have

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

how is the prime mover related to the universe?

A

as a leader

16
Q

what doesn’t the prime mover have and why?

A

a physical body as thing changes and the PM cannot change

17
Q

what does aristotle argue that the PM has?

A

a ‘spiritual body’ that is immaterial

18
Q

what is the PM a form of itself?

A

intelligence

19
Q

what is everything that exists in a permanent state of?

A

movement or motion

20
Q

what does motion mean?

A

change

21
Q

what does it mean if something can change?

A

then it exists in one ‘actual’ state, it has the ‘potential’ to become another

22
Q

what was the 1st of the four things aristotle found?

A

the physical world is constantly in motion and change

23
Q

what was the 2nd thing aristotle found?

A

the plants seem to be moving eternally

24
Q

what was the 3rd thing aristotle found?

A

change or motion is always caused by something

25
Q

what was the 4th thing aristotle found?

A

objects in the world are in a state of potentiality or actuality

26
Q

what did aristotle conclude from the 4 things he found?

A

there exists something that causes the change without being moved and this thing is eternal

27
Q

what did aristotle say there had to be a to start of the process of motion?

A

a being (PM) that has reached it’s full evaluation

28
Q

what is the relationship between the PM and the universe? WEAKNESS

A

unclear

29
Q

why is it a problem that aristotle’s PM is transcendent?

A

it means it cannot interact in the universe

30
Q

what is the idea that the PM causes the universe and it’s events in it through merely ‘thinking’? WEAKNESS

A

vague and unclear

31
Q

what does the PM come across as? WEAKNESS

A

unloving, as it plays no part in our lives - would the universe really be like that?

32
Q

what did Betrand Russell say which counteracts the idea of the final cause?

A

is there really a final cause to the universe? does there have to be a cause, can’t it just be there?

33
Q

what did aristotle’s ideas have a lot of influence in?

A

the development of christian philosophy and the arguments for the existence of god

34
Q

who are there a lot of similarities between?

A

the prime mover and god, some even say that the prime moved IS god

35
Q

what did the prime mover theory influence?

A

medieval thinking about god

36
Q

where is philosophy of aristotle used?

A

in roman catholic churches

Philosophy (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions