Aristotle

Four Causes

Aristotle's framework for understanding the nature of things through material, formal, efficient, and final causes.

Material Cause

The substance or materials that make up a thing.

Formal Cause

The design, structure, or essence that defines a thing.

Efficient Cause

The agent or force that brings something into existence.

Final Cause

The purpose or goal for which a thing exists.

Natural Law

The ethical theory that good human beings are those who fulfill their true nature.

Telos

The inherent purpose or aim of a living being.

Virtue

A trait of character manifesting through habitual action aligned with reason.

Arete

Greek term for virtue, meaning excellence.

The Golden Mean

Aristotle's principle that virtues lie between two extremes: deficiency and excess.

Eudaimonia

The Greek term for flourishing or living well; the ultimate goal of human life according to Aristotle.

Continent Person

A person who knows what is right but must struggle against opposing desires.

Incontinent Person

A person who knows what is right but lacks the self-control to act on it.

Virtuous Person

A person whose desires are fully aligned with reason; they naturally want to do good.

Naturalism

A worldview that explains the world through scientific inquiry rather than purpose or supernatural origins.

Empirical Investigation

An approach that relies on observation and experimentation to understand reality.