Aristotle

Aristotle

1. Theory

   • Four Causes
     • MATERIAL: What something is made of.
     • EFFICIENT: How something is made.
     • FINAL: The TELOS of something; what it is made for.
     • FORMAL: The characteristics of or design for something.
   • The Prime Mover
     • The only thing with no form
     • Pure substance
     • The end to which all things are moving or aspiring to.
     • Like God
       • Cannot be prayed to. No relationship can be formed.

2. Criticisms

   • NO FINAL CAUSE: The forces of nature are 'blind', chaotic and ultimately purposeless.
   • NO SOUL: Do we need an actualizing force like the soul or is potential life and growth in humans is controlled by genetic makeup.
   • UNCERTAINTY: Aristotle's efficient cause may not apply on a sub-atomic level, where matter behaves differently and unpredictably.