Aristotle's Science of Nature

Question 1

what is bios?

Answer 1

• a way/mode of living
• the parts of animals are adapted to their bios

Question 2

what is atomos eidos?

Aristotle’s science

Answer 2

• forms of animals that cannot be further divided
• you can only further divide when the differences are functional (not aesthetic)

e.g. you would not further divide a species of dog based on colour

Question 3

what is de anima (“of soul”)?

Answer 3

• Aristotle’s assumption that souls are substances in the sense of form
• form = actuality = soul
• the actuality of the natural body having life potentiality in it

process of elimination:
* Body is matter → ∴ soul ≠ matter
* Hylomorphic compound (living thing) = matter (body) + form (___)
* ∴ soul = form

Question 4

what is the hierarchy of soul parts?

Answer 4

1. nutritive (plants, animals, humans): the power to grow, decay, & reproduce

2. perceptive (animals, humans): 5 senses; can percieve pain & pleasure

3. desiderative (animals, humans): desires attached to pain/pleasure

4. locomotive (animals, humans): some animals can move themselves

5. deliberative/rational (humans): capacity for abstract thought not tied to any specific body part

Question 5

what is intromissionism vs. extromissionism?

sense perception

like by like vs. unlike by unlike

Answer 5

intromissionism: info coming to you from external factors (surface films believed to transmit/project the image from object to eye)

extromissionism: visual perception accomplished by eye beams emitted by the eyes