Pre-modern conception of science

Question 1

What are the most basic concepts Aristotelian scientists used to conceptualize natural phenomena?

Answer 1

-Basic concept of Aristotelian science: essence/potentiality, actuality, and motion.

-Essence: the potentiality of an organism/object (acorn has the potentiality to become an oak tree)

-Actuality: the realization of the object’s potentiality (in this case the oak tree)

-Natural movement, or motion: the movement that takes place from potentiality to actuality (when potentiality moves to its own actuality)

Question 2

What are the 4 types of “causes” from Aristotle’s perspective? Use an example to explain the differences.

Answer 2

Four causes (why does the table exist?):

1) Material cause: Because of the wood

2) Formal cause: Because of its form or shape (essence=form)

3) Efficient cause: Because of the carpenter (the creator) that made the table

4) Final cause: to serve a purpose, to sit at *(more important to Aristotle, ultimate purpose)

Question 3

What is “explanation by purpose”? Use an example to explain it.

Answer 3

Final Cause. Example: Why is it raining? To Nourish the Plants to Grow.