Aristotle

Question 1

empiricism

Answer 1

all knowledge and truth are derived from the senses

Question 2

motus and telos meanings

Answer 2

-greek word meaning constant change, observed in the world
-greek word meaning end or purpose.

Question 3

Aristotle quote

Answer 3

“there is nothing in the minds except what was first in the senses”

Question 4

what is his theory called

Answer 4

the four causes

Question 5

name the four causes

Answer 5

material, efficient, formal and final

Question 6

how does Aristotle describe the changes he observes in the world

Answer 6

things change from actuality to potentiality, caused by external forces. e.g an acorn has the potential to become a tree

Question 7

what painting depicts Aristotle and plato

Answer 7

Raphaels school of Athens

Question 8

Material cause

Answer 8

what is it made of? silver is the material cause of a silver ring

Question 9

efficient cause

Answer 9

how did it come into existence? describes the process of change. a silversmith is the efficient cause of the ring

Question 10

the formal cause

Answer 10

what is its shape or characteristics? formal cause of ring is a circular shape and a hole through the middle

Question 11

the final cause

Answer 11

the most important cause for Aristotle as it describes the telos or purpose. the final cause of the ring could be ornamental

Question 12

what can be said if an object fulfils its final cause

Answer 12

It is good- e.g. a pen is a good pen if it writes well; even if the words written do not make sense

Question 13

material cause pro and con

Answer 13

pro- in order to exist and be observed all things must be made of physical matter
con- there is not a material cause of a colour or a concept such as beauty- true knowledge comes from wof

Question 14

efficient cause pro and con

Answer 14

pro- explains the process of motus from potentiality to actuality
con- David Hume argues that we may be able to observe two processes that we call cause and effect but this does not necessarily mean that the effect was a result of the cause

Question 15

formal cause pro and con

Answer 15

pro- helps us to understand what gives something its shape and characteristics e.g a bird that clucks and pecks may help us identify a chicken
con- may be disagreements about it, how do we know what characteristics are essential to an object.
not everyone will agree that the soul is the formal cause

Question 16

how might goodness not be linked to purpose

Answer 16

con. e.g. if a knife cuts my finger it cuts well but is it really good?

Question 17

final cause pro and con

Answer 17

pro- explains why everything has a purpose.
con- there are many issues with the idea of purpose. purpose does not have to be intrinsic as it is a human construct/ mental process, some things have many purposes or purposes change and some things don’t have a purpose.
Criticised by Russell some things are ‘brute fact’ an diva no explanations

Question 18

what is Aristotles explanation for all the things changing in the world

Answer 18

the prime mover- drawing everything towards it (ultimate final cause)