Aristotle's Theory of Reality Flashcards
Explain fully the six principles: substance (primary and secondary) & accidents, form & matter, act & potency.
Substance = refers to the fundamental essence or nature of an object. In Aristotelian philosophy, there are two types of substance: primary and secondary.
Primary Substance = this refers to individual, particular entities that exist independently and are not predicated upon anything else. For example, a specific dog named Max or a particular tree in a park. Primary substances are the basic building blocks of reality.
Secondary Substances = general categories or universal concepts that encompass multiple individual objects. For instance, the concept of “dog” or “tree” represents a secondary substance. It is a common essence shared by multiple individual dogs or trees.
Accidents = properties or qualities that are not essential to the nature of a substance but can still be predicated of it. They are attributes that can change or vary without altering the fundamental identity of the substance. Examples of accidents include color, shape, size, location, and condition. While accidents can change, the substance itself remains the same.
Form = refers to the organizing principle or structure that gives shape and specific characteristics to a substance. It represents the essence, nature, or specific arrangement of properties that define what something is. For example, the form of a statue is the idea or blueprint that determines its shape, proportions, and features.
Matter = refers to the underlying material or potentiality that can take on different forms. It is the raw material that can be shaped or transformed. For instance, the marble from which a statue is carved is the matter that can be molded into various forms.
Act = refers to the state of being actual or realized. It represents the manifestation or expression of a substance’s potentialities. For example, a seed that has grown into a tree is in the state of act, as it has actualized its potential to become a mature tree.
Potency = refers to the capacity or potential for change or development. It represents the unrealized or latent possibilities within a substance. Using the same example, the seed that has not yet sprouted or grown is in a state of potency, as it has the potential to become a tree.
In explaining what things are, how does Aristotle’s doctrine of hylomorphism differ from Plato’s theory of the Forms?
Doctrine of Hylomorphism = Aristotle famously contends thatevery physical object is a compound of matter and form.
According to Plato, the realm of Forms or Ideas is a separate and higher realm of existence, transcending the physical world. The Forms are perfect and eternal essences that represent the true reality of things. Physical objects in the world are imperfect copies or reflections of these Forms.
In contrast, Aristotle rejects the notion of a separate realm of Forms. He believes that the essence or form of an object is inherent within the object itself. According to Aristotle, the form of a particular substance is not separate from its material existence; it is the organizing principle that gives shape, structure, and characteristics to the matter.
Using an example, explain the doctrine of natural Teleology.
The doctrine of natural teleology, as proposed by Aristotle, asserts that all natural things have inherent purposes or goals (telos) that guide their development and behavior. These purposes are immanent within the nature of the objects themselves and are not imposed externally. To understand this doctrine, let’s consider the example of an acorn and its teleological development into an oak tree.
When we examine an acorn, we can recognize its potential to become an oak tree. The acorn possesses the inherent capacity to develop into a mature tree with roots, trunk, branches, and leaves. Aristotle would argue that the acorn’s telos, its intrinsic purpose or goal, is to become an oak tree.
What is an entelechy?
Entelechy = the “indwelling end/form”
To better understand the concept of entelechy, let’s take the example of an acorn once again. The acorn has the potential to become an oak tree. Its entelechy is the actualization of this potentiality, the process through which it develops into a fully grown oak tree. The entelechy of the acorn encompasses the unfolding of its inherent nature, its growth, and the realization of its telos or purpose.
Aristotle believed that all objects and organisms possess inherent potentialities that drive them toward their entelechies. It is through the actualization of these potentialities that objects and organisms achieve their ultimate fulfillment and express their complete nature.
Using an example, from both nature and artifacts, identify & explain/apply Aristotle’s Four Causes.
Formal Cause = relates to the specific form or structure of an object or phenomenon. It answers the question, “What is its form or essence?” Nature Ex: A butterfly. The formal cause of a butterfly lies in its specific biological structure, including its wings, antennae, and segmented body, which distinguishes it from other insects. Artifact Ex: A sculpture. The formal cause of a sculpture lies in the artist’s creative vision and the specific form and arrangement of the sculpted materials, which give it its distinct shape and aesthetic qualities.
Material Cause = refers to the material or substance from which an object or phenomenon is made. It answers the question, “What is it made of?” Nature Ex: A bird’s nest. The material cause of a bird’s nest would be the twigs, leaves, and other natural materials that the bird gathers and weaves together to construct the nest. Artifact Ex: A wooden table. The material cause of a wooden table would be the wood itself, which serves as the substance from which the table is crafted.
Efficient Cause = concerns the agent or force that brings about the change or production of an object or phenomenon. It addresses the question, “What caused it to happen?” Nature Ex: A plant growing. The efficient cause of a plant’s growth involves various factors, such as sunlight, water, nutrients, and the internal biological processes within the plant itself, which facilitate its development. Artifact Ex: A painting. The efficient cause of a painting is the artist who applies paint to the canvas, using brushes, techniques, and skill to bring the artwork into existence.
Final Cause = focuses on the purpose, goal, or end toward which an object or phenomenon is directed. It tackles the question, “What is its purpose or intention?” Nature Ex: A flower. The final cause of a flower lies in its reproductive function, attracting pollinators and producing seeds to ensure the survival and propagation of the plant species. Artifact Ex: A clock. The final cause of a clock is to measure and display time, enabling humans to keep track of and organize their daily activities.
Explain how the four causes relate to the history of Greek Philosophy.
Pre-Socratic Philosophers = The Pre-Socratic philosophers, such as Thales, Anaximander, and Heraclitus, focused primarily on the material cause. They sought to understand the fundamental substance or element from which everything in the universe is composed. For example, Thales proposed that water is the ultimate material cause, while Heraclitus emphasized the ever-changing nature of the material world.
Sophists = Efficient cause
Socrates = formal cause
Explain Aristotle’s beliefs concerning the origins of the world. Distinguish between Aristotle’s view and that advanced by the theistic tradition.
Aristotle posited that the universe is eternal and has always existed. He argued against the notion of a specific moment of creation or a definite beginning of the cosmos. According to Aristotle, the universe is composed of eternal and unchanging substances, which undergo changes and transformations but do not come into being or pass out of existence.
Aristotle introduced the concept of the Uncaused Cause or the Prime Mover (often equated with God by later thinkers). The Prime Mover is an eternal and immaterial entity that moves the cosmos and is itself unmoved. It is an eternal and necessary being, not subject to change or causation. The Prime Mover does not create the world but rather serves as the final cause, drawing all things towards their natural ends.
Theistic traditions, particularly in monotheistic religions, generally posit a divine creator who brings the world into existence through an act of deliberate creation. The theistic view holds that the world has a definite beginning and is contingent upon the will and intention of a divine being.
While the theistic tradition maintains that the universe had a specific moment of creation, Aristotle’s view suggests that the universe has existed eternally. He does not propose a specific temporal origin or a moment of creation but instead focuses on the eternal nature of the universe.
Theistic traditions often conceive of the divine creator as a personal and intentional agent who actively designs and sustains the world. In contrast, Aristotle’s Prime Mover is an impersonal entity that serves as the final cause and does not engage in the act of creation or intervention in the world.
Theistic traditions often ascribe teleological explanations to the creation of the world, asserting that the divine creator designed the universe with a specific purpose or plan. Aristotle, on the other hand, saw teleology as immanent within the natural processes themselves, with objects having inherent purposes and ends.
Explain Aristotle’s conception of God (theos), as perfection, the Unmoved Mover/final cause, and the role played by God with respect to the world. Briefly compare with the Judeo-Christian conception of a personal God.
Aristotle views God as the ultimate perfection and the highest form of existence. God is pure actuality, devoid of potentiality, and free from any imperfections or limitations. God possesses all the essential attributes and qualities in their highest degree, such as wisdom, goodness, and intelligence. In this sense, God is the perfect being.
Aristotle identifies God as the Unmoved Mover or the Prime Mover. This concept arises from his understanding of causation and motion. The Prime Mover is an eternal and immaterial entity that is responsible for setting the cosmos in motion. It is itself unmoved, being purely actual without undergoing any change or causation. As the final cause, the Prime Mover serves as the ultimate purpose or telos towards which all things in the world strive.
According to Aristotle, God’s role with respect to the world is primarily that of the final cause. God serves as the ultimate goal or end that drives all things in nature towards their natural fulfillment. The Prime Mover, through its own perfection and actuality, exerts a causal influence on the world by attracting and guiding objects and processes towards their inherent purposes and ends.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God is often depicted as a personal being who establishes a personal relationship with human beings. This personal God is seen as having emotions, communicating with individuals, and responding to their prayers and petitions. In Aristotle’s conception, God is an impersonal entity without personal attributes or a direct interactive relationship with individuals.
The Judeo-Christian conception of God emphasizes God’s active role in the creation of the world and ongoing involvement in its affairs. God is believed to have intentionally and purposefully created the universe and actively intervenes in human history. In contrast, Aristotle’s God does not engage in the act of creation or intervention but serves as the final cause and the immovable source of motion.
Aristotle’s God is immanent within the natural world, acting as the final cause and guiding the natural processes. In contrast, the Judeo-Christian conception of a personal God often emphasizes God’s transcendence, with God existing outside the created order and having authority and power over it.
