Aristotle s Theory Of The Four Causes - 2055 Words

a) Explain Aristotle’s theory of the Four Causes. (25) Aristotle was a student of Plato and although he admired his work, he didn’t necessarily agree with it. It is said that Plato and Aristotle represent two contrasting approaches to philosophy; Plato emphasises the world of idea and reason as the sources of knowledge, whereas, Aristotle emphasises the physical world and the experience as the basis of knowledge. Therefore, Aristotle rejected the dualist view of the world and Plato’s understanding of the (pre-existing) soul. He refused to believe that objects and things that existed in our material world were â€Å"imitations† of the perfect forms as Plato had suggested. Firstly, Aristotle was an ‘empiricist’ and believed that the world we live in is the only place in which we can have true knowledge because it is only through our sense experience and posteriori knowledge that we came to understand and acknowledge things. He emphasised the value of studying the physical world instead of creating a link between another world of â€Å"perfect forms†. Aristotle very much believed and relied on an empirical approach; he believed that ‘form’ was not an ideal but instead found within an object or thing itself. This form is in an objects structure and characteristics and can be perceived using our senses. For example a car is made of ‘matter’ but all the bits of matter in it have a particular arrangement and structure as part of the car; they have a particular ‘form’, however, this form isShow MoreRelatedThe Most Significant Of The Scientific Theories Have Made Considerable Progression1372 Words   |  6 PagesOver the course of the millenniums, scientific theories have made considerable progression. At times improving sluggishly, where at times growing rapidly and skyrocketing. Some regions unprosperous than others at times, while others majorly succeeding where other nations are failing. These peaks and valleys are what provision the evolution of theories. The most significant of the preceding times was the era of Aristotle the philosopher around three hundred B.C., who helped lend a foundation for theRead MoreAristotle s Theory Of Nature Essay1635 Words   |  7 Pagessubject of discussion is through finding its primary causes and principles, and then stem back to the root, its elements(Physics 84a. 14-15). To exhibit we have knowledge of a specific subject matter we have to display and vocalize the contributing components that describe the subject. Aristotle titles these principles, causes and elements as previously listed.Therefore, the knowledge of nature must arise wi th questioning principles. Aristotle contends that only the elements and principles can beRead MoreAristotle s Contributions Of Western Philosophy1124 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the greatest classical Greek philosophers still known is Aristotle. His contributions to Western philosophy are in the areas of nature, nature, logic, metaphysics, the soul, morality, and politics. He was one of Plato’s students and studied under him for twenty years in the academy in Athens. He started to lecture about his on top of rhetoric. Aristotle became well known for his philosophies he began to tutor Phillip of Macedon son Alexander. After the death of Phillip’s, the school of platonicRead MoreTragedy In Shakespeares Othello1519 Words   |  7 Pagesphilosopher Aristotle gave the classic theory of tragedy a distinguishable definition. There are various elements included in a tragedy, making it both successful and enjoyable. From the dramatic plot to the audaciousness of characters t hat create intensity, every element is necessary to construct the classic tragedy. This can be observed through action as seen in Shakespeare’s Othello. Shakespeare’s play Othello, most closely resembles the Greek philosopher’s theory of tragedy that achieves Aristotle sRead More Aristotle And Meteorology Essay1674 Words   |  7 Pages Thesis: How accurate or inaccurate were Aristotle’s writings on meteorology? Introduction: Aristotle wrote about many subjects that can be grouped into five general divisions: logic, physical works, psychological works, natural history works, and philosophical works. One of the little known physical works concerned meteorology. Aristotle’s views on meteorology are fascinating, but many of the views were not accurate. This paper compares only a few of his views to actual meteorological factsRead MoreAristotle s Views On Politics1031 Words   |  5 Pageswhere Aristotle’s is coming from. Aristotle looked for solutions in a Universal manner. Basically, the principles and solutions for correctness comes from the idea that they have to be natural more than conventional. The idea of the good from Aristotle’s point of view comes from observation, he believed that the good is the final cause(there are three others that will be discussed), and that everyone can understand judgement and collective moral action. Aristotle also believed that people need toRead MoreAristotle s Contributions Of Aristotle931 Words   |  4 PagesBiography of Aristotle Aristotle Headshot Aristotle was born in 384 BC, in Stagira, near Macedonia at the northern end of the Aegean Sea. His father, Nicomachus, was the family physician of King Amyntas of Macedonia. It is believed that Aristotle s ancestors had been the physicians of the Macedonian royal family for several generations. Having come from a long line of physicians, Aristotle received training and education that inclined his mind toward the study of natural phenomena. This educationRead MoreRole Of The Citizen And The Organization Of The Infrastructure989 Words   |  4 Pagesthe good citizen (Somerville and Santoni 75). The â€Å"least desirable forms of government,† Aristotle suggests, were corrupted versions of the best governments because they act in their own interest as opposed to the interests of the many (Sterling). It is in Book VII that Aristotle further elaborates on the polity, or â€Å"ideal city,† and the way it is composed (Somerville and Santoni 95). He begins chapter four by stating that the city-size of the state must be manageable in both population and sizeRead MoreDifference in the Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle and Their Influence.1213 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom that of his teacher. Aristotle was the student of Plato, and like his teacher, grew up to ground his philosophy from that of Plato. Although, both Plato and Aristotle criticized their teacher’s works, they were also influenced by them. Both Plato and Aristotle developed their own modes of knowledge acquisition; Plato’s Platonic Idealism and Aristotle’s Analytic Empiricism. In this paper, my objective is to identify the differences in the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle, which lead to the developmentRead MoreAncient Greek Philosophers Who Have Helped Shape The World1350 Words   |  6 Pages twenty centuries ago, Greek philosopher Aristotle laid out the foundations of Western culture. The principles of Greek philosophy implemented its way into encompassing a persons point of view or their knowledge on society. Aristotle has helped improve and transmuted the world by his views on ethics and virtues he has instructed and justified thoroughly and the endowment of philosophy and science, whereas he created a comprehensive system of subjects. Aristotle has laid out virtues, which is the important