Aristotle - prime mover

Question 1

The prime mover is Aristotle’s explanation for what?

Answer 1

Change in the world

Question 2

Aristotle’s four causes?

Answer 2

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 3

Which of the four causes is the prime mover related to?

Answer 3

the final cause

Question 4

The prime mover explained

Answer 4

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 5

Differences between the prime mover and god

Answer 5

at times, Aristotle described the Prime Mover as god but this is an impersonal god that only contemplates itself with no awareness of this world. it may be reasonable to seek a final reason for the changes in all things, which the Prime Mover gives, without the added complications of religious models of
God