Aristotle

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Aristotle's theory on the question of motion and change and the structure of the physical universe as opposed to that of his mentor Plato. It looks at how he arrived at his view of the structure of the universe through the application of reason and its limitations. It shows how, in his analysis of the prime mover, Aristotle shows some of those limitations as he develops his ideas based on limited evidence and how he explores some ideas that are simply not clearly stated.

From the Paper:

"The issue is again related to the question of motion and change, and Aristotle tried to solve this problem where Plato could not. He did this by reinterpreting matter and form as potentiality and actuality, thus turning these concepts into a theory of change. Aristotle examined all substances in terms of four causes--the material cause, or that substance of which an object is made; the formal cause, meaning the form or essence of the object, or that which it strives to be; the efficient cause, or the actual force that brings about the change; and the final cause, or the ultimate purpose of the object. Aristotle agrees with Plato that everything in this world is striving toward the Good. Aristotle created a teleological system in which everything had to be striving toward some ultimate and concrete perfection that exists as the Telos, or goal."

More papers on Aristotle:

• Analytical Essay # 93777 : "An Analysis of Aristotle's "Politics"
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• Analytical Essay # 4436 : "Aristotle's "The Middling Sort"
• Book Review # 4141 : "Aristotle's "Nichomachean Ethics"

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