Things within the natural world are in a constant state of change, and through the changes
made, whether out of necessity or chance, gain purpose and reveal their true nature. Aristotle
thinks that while all things can have both stability and change, only a natural thing has the ability
of these two qualities within itself, or without the help if an outside source (Physics 201). He
understood and believed this through observation of action taking place, and came to the
conclusion that change within subjects in the natural world can be divided into four main causes:
Material Cause, Efficient Cause, Formal Cause, and the Final Cause (Physics 205).
Something that is natural is created with the ability to change through time on its own,
and originates with its nature intact. A substance that is created from an outside source and with
a purpose in mind, whether out of necessity or not, is an artificial object (Physics 201). However,
both artificial and natural objects have many causes for being, which help us to “find why
something is so,” and which ultimately leads to knowledge and greater understanding of a
substance and the world as a whole (Physics 205). In summary, there is the Material Cause, or
the materials that make up a subject; the Formal Cause, or what gives form to an object; the
Efficient Cause, or the motive for something being created; and the Final Cause, which is the
purpose of a subject existing (Physics 205). So from the beginning, subjects within the world,
whether natural or artificial, develop and go through phases, with an end purpose in mind. While
only a natural object is capable of acting out its purpose within itself (Physics 201). It is this
nature and purpose of an object that shapes or creates it’s form.
The question then becomes, what exactly sets off these phases and the changes that lead
to the nature and purpose of both natural and artificial objects being in existence? For instance, is
it out of necessity that the changes take place, such as when a human needs shelter and builds an
artificial object for that purpose (Physics 209)? Or perhaps it is out of chance and coincidence
that the events take place, and thus cause and effect is enacted? However, it is most likely a
combination of all factors, working together to set about events and the motions taking place.
Thus, leading to the form of the natural world being brought about by the substances within it.
I agree with how you answered your own question. I certainly think that both necessity, luck and chance play significant roles in how the natural world is formed. It is because of these factors that the substances in the natural world are brought into being and serve their ultimate purpose. I don't think it is one or the other because not everything comes into being because there is a need for it, sometimes things happen because of a coincidence or accident which doesn't have a clear purpose as to why.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how natural and artificial things are so different but are alike in some aspects. The fact that the both of them have a purposes and an end is pretty cool, eventhough one is within itself and the other is not. I agree that the four main causes have to be used with both natural and artificial to understand why something is and to gain more knowledge. Although,I don't know if I really understand how to gain understanding of the world as a whole by these causes. Maybe someone can explain it for me. Nice Work!
ReplyDeleteThe Efficient Cause is not the motive for something being created, it is the primary source of the change or stability(Physics, 205). I agree with everything else you discussed on how all things can have both stability and change but only natural things can change without an outside source.
ReplyDeleteIs your example of necessary change, "…when a human needs shelter and builds…for that purpose," in fact necessary? Aristotle states, "the [unqualified] builder of a house…is a housebuilder (Physics 209)." However this is different than saying building a house is a necessary form of change.
ReplyDeleteThough it is necessary that humans need shelter, they could always default to a cave. Like a hermit crab, the shelter will always be a shell which is necessary for the crab. Therefore though the human needs shelter it is not the same as a housebuilder building a house for the purpose of shelter.
Isn't ironic that it's not until you read a philosophical reading that you begin to look at the world in a different way. Take the terms natural and artificial for example, what would a house be without the person behind the blueprint or the brick that helps it stand strong for that matter? Then take cause and effect, it seems pretty straight forward but when dealing with natural and artificial things it gives a whole new meaning to the terms, and even further helps to explain and understand the difference between the two.
ReplyDelete