The Four Causes

Question 1

What is the first cause and what does it do?

Answer 1

Material cause.

This explains what something is made from.

Question 2

What is the second cause and what does it do?

Answer 2

Formal cause.

Gives something its shape and allows it to be identified as whatever it is.

Question 3

What is the third cause and what does it do?

Answer 3

Efficient cause.

It brings about change in something. Aristotle expressed this in terms of the actualising of potential.

Question 4

What is the fourth cause and what does it do?

Answer 4

The final cause.
It’s purpose and reason for existing which can be understood as its “telos”, meaning it’s end.
This idea was of great significance to Thomas Aquinas.