Aristotle and understanding reality Flashcards
1
Q
how does Aristotle believe that we make sense of reality?
A
employ our senses (empiricism)
2
Q
what did Aristotle believe was the best way to understand why things are the way they are?
A
to understand what purpose (telos) they were designed to serve
3
Q
what is teleology?
A
the study of ends or purposes that things serve
4
Q
what is the best way to understand the telos of something according to Aristotle?
A
using empirical means
5
Q
what is using our senses to understand reality known as?
A
a posteriori reasoning
6
Q
what does Aristotle’s emphasis on teleology imply?
A
that there is a reason for everything
7
Q
what is the highest purpose of humans?
A
to fulfil our rationality by using empirical observations