Aristotle Flashcards
how did aristotle explain the world?
whereas plato believed in an ultimate reality existing beyond this world, accessible only through a priori reasoning aristotle instead used an empirical method and that one can only understand by using a robust approach
aristotle 4 causes?
material = what the object is made of
formal = qualities of the object, its shape etc
efficient = means or agency by which the object came into existence
final = the purpose of the object, reason for being
aristotle change and purpose
everything is in a state of motion, things need to change to fulfil their telos (purpose), change allows an object to go from potentiality to actuality
difference between aristotle prime mover and causes
four causes explains individual changes to the world whereas the prime mover is an explanation for the whole world
rationalism vs empiricism, plato + brian davies
- FORMS: Plato, in believed there was a greater reality beyond the world we experience, accessible through a priori reasoning – the world of the forms. He explains in his book ‘The Republic’ everything in this world was in a process of change; the Forms, in contrast, are the permanent, eternal, immutable, intangible, perfect essences of objects (particulars) found in the World of Appearances
- The Platonic thesis can be understood through the analogy of the cave – the prisoners trapped in the cave, watching shadows on the wall, are representative of those who merely rely on the senses and are only subject to a false perception of reality (a mind-set which Plato called “eikasia”, translated as image/ likeness).
Brian Davies argues there must be true forms of abstract concepts, such as beauty or justice, as otherwise we would never be able to debate and discuss them; anyone could argue what justice was, depending on how well they argued it, “justice is whatever is in the interest of the stronger?”
how does karl popper criticise davies and plato?
Karl Popper argues Plato was searching for permanence and perfection in a world of uncertainty, when really we must just accept the world the way it is – one may argue it is an inductive leap of logic to arrive at the Forms from a premise that there must be truth, which all things have in common
aristotle build on from popper causes
Whereas Plato believed an ultimate reality existed beyond this world, accessible only through reason, Aristotle used the empirical method in order to explain the world around him – one can come to a closer understanding of the matter of things through a process of reflective categorisation, per genus et per differentia (through type and difference) via analysis of the FOUR CAUSES: example of the bronze statue (material cause is bronze, formal cause is its shape, efficient is the means it came about e.g. statue maker, and it final cause it its telos e.g. honouring the Gods) empirical method is clear and observable!
criticism of aristotle causes, purpose?
CR: TELEOLOGICAL WORLDVIEW, PRIME MOVER
One may question the Four Causes, in particular the final cause – based on a teleological worldview. Not everything seems to have a purpose, and many things can be used for alternative purposes e.g. a cricket bat could be used to kill zombies and not to play cricket – whereas one can criticise Plato for searching for perfection, Aristotle seems to search for purpose
empiricism vs rationalism, recollection argument
RECOLLECTION ARGUMENT: We can appreciate beautiful things without knowing exactly what it is that is beautiful. Plato argues we have this innate ability to recognise the Forms as our souls have experienced them prior to our birth – uneducated slave in ‘Meno’ can learn Pythagoras’ theorem as he has experienced it before
Iris Murdoch ‘Metaphysics as a guide to morals’ – plantonist, puts emphasis on pursuing the “good” life without necessarily knowing what this is…
aj ayer criticism of recollection argument
A.J Ayer explains Plato’s forms as “primitive superstition” – good is not an actual thing that needs something corresponding to it, much like “nothing” is an absence of something. “Good” and “justice” are the qualities of other things rationalism is flawed and idealistic
Aristotle argued true knowledge was gained through experience – seems far more practical! It is true that we learn how to do things e.g. riding a bike, via experience not by thought from the philosopher’s armchair!
criticism of aristotle experience divided line
Varying sense experience suggests our senses are not infallible and that the world of appearances cannot divulge the truth. In contrast, a priori knowledge of permanent, unchanging concepts seem far stronger. Gives permanence and certainty in world of change… The Divided Line highlights there is opinion (gained through the senses – conjecture, belief), and knowledge (gained through rational – understanding, reasoned thought) It is because of this changing world that there must be an opposite – the unchanging WOF and Form of the Good
hume criticism of forms as elitist
- If the Forms are so essential to knowledge, then why does not one study them? A doctor does not study the Form of medicine to save a patients life – needs a posteriori knowledge…
- Hume – the contents of our minds are shaped by impressions and ideas; our minds are able to manipulate ideas and add them together e.g. thought of a unicorn through experience of horses, horns. If we have no experience of something, we are unable to think of it!
rationalism vs empiricism, platonic thesis holds greater value?
• Analogy of the Cave and the Platonic thesis of the Forms evidently holds greater value than Aristotle’s Four Causes – urges us to question our believes in order to gain deeper epistemological positioning… Many claim they are lovers of beauty without ever stopping to question what true beauty is.
mel thompson and stephen law criticism of platonic thesis
• We can question reality and knowledge without having to postulate on a separate metaphysical world of perfection – Mel Thompson, Plato seems to dismiss the beauty of our world, with the “dark and dingy cave hardly being a fitting representation” of our world. Stephen Law, the form of phaeces and mud? “Not so heavenly” metaphysical explanations are always absurd
response to mel thompson, metaphor
- Reductio ad absurdum – The worth of the Analogy of the Cave, The Divided Line, and the Simile of the Sun, becomes clear when one interprets them as metaphors, for questioning reality to gain stronger epistemological positioning
- Within the analogy of the cave Plato highlights that the true philosopher will be mocked upon his return back to the unenlightened prisoners – those who have not experienced deeper truth will find the forms (even in a metaphorical sense), hard to accept, and will certainly prefer the comfort of Aristotle’s empiricism Death of Socrates, for “corrupting the youth” by encouraging them to question authority and use their rational capacities, highlights the danger of not questioning things, and allowing people to enforce their standards onto us!
