Aristotle Flashcards
What is actuality
When potential is achieved
What is potentiality
The possibility of doing something or becoming something
What are the 4 causes of being actualised
Material
Efficient
Formal
Final
What is the material cause
The material cause refers to the matter or substance that something is made from.
Give an example of a material cause.
A book is made from paper.
What is the formal cause
The formal cause refers to what gives the matter it’s ‘form’ or ‘structure’.
Using the idea of a book explain the formal cause.
A book is not just any old piece of paper, but it is pieces of paper arranged in a particular way📝📝
What is the efficient cause?
The efficient cause refers to the cause of an object existing. (why something exists)
How does a book exist?
Someone wrote and printed it📇.
Explain the final cause.
The final cause is teleological. It is concerned with the functions of a particular object or the reason why the action is done.
Apply the four causes to a statue.
Material - made of marble
Formal- has the shape of a statue
Efficient- a mason made it
Final - it’s function is to be a beautiful statue that honours, remembers or recalls someone/thing.
Aristotle saw that the world was in a constant state of change and motion. What did he conclude from this?
Something must be causing this change (efficient cause)
Who did Aristotle believe God was?
The Prime Mover
What are the characteristics of the prime mover?
He Causes without being affected.
He has no potential.
All ready ‘pure actuality’
How does the prime mover create?
Moves things towards each other.
