CBU Intro to Phil 2018 OPS FA18 Week 2 Aristotle

Introduction to Aristotle

• Transition from Plato to Aristotle in the context of ancient Greek philosophy.

• Aristotle was Plato's student and their lives overlapped significantly.

Life of Aristotle

• Born in 384 BCE, studied under Plato at age 17.

• Became the top student at Plato's Academy.

• Later became the tutor of Alexander the Great.

• His influence on Greek culture spread widely due to Alexander's conquests.

Impact of Alexander the Great

• Greek culture was spread throughout regions Alexander conquered:

  • Middle East and parts of India became Greek-influenced.

  • Egypt was significantly influenced by Greek thought.

• Roman Empire adopted Greek culture and language upon conquest.

The Connection Between Plato, Aristotle, and Western Civilization

• Plato and Aristotle's ideas form the foundation of Western philosophy.

• Aristotle eventually founded his own school, the Lyceum, due to disputes within Plato's Academy.

Foundational Contributions

• Logic: Aristotle is known for formalizing logic.

  • Introduced key concepts such as the law of identity and the law of non-contradiction.

  • Emphasized rational thinking and deduction.

• Philosophical Differences with Plato:

  • Aristotle respects but diverges from Plato's ideals, focusing on causation rather than abstract Forms.

Aristotle's Four Causes

• To fully understand an object, one must understand the four causes:

  • Material Cause: What it is made of.

  • Formal Cause: Its form or essence.

  • Efficient Cause: How it is made.

  • Final Cause: Its purpose or intention.

Example 1: A Ring

• Material Cause: Gold.

• Formal Cause: Circle shape.

• Efficient Cause: Ring maker.

• Final Cause: Fashion accessory.

Example 2: A Baseball Bat

• Material Cause: Wood.

• Formal Cause: Cylindrical shape.

• Efficient Cause: The bat maker.

• Final Cause: To hit baseballs.

Example 3: A Human Being

• Material Cause: Biological components (meat, bone, etc.).

• Formal Cause: The soul (essence of humanity).

• Efficient Cause: Biological reproduction process.

• Final Cause: Contemplation and virtue.

Essence vs. Accident

• Essence: Essential attributes of a thing; determines what a thing is.

• Accident: Nonessential attributes that can change without altering the fundamental nature of the object.

Illustrations of Essence and Accident

• Cake baking analogy (eggs vs. non-essential ingredients).

• Human identity remains constant despite accidental changes (e.g., haircuts).

Change According to Aristotle

• Change signifies imperfection and can involve growth, decay, or corruption.

• Actualization of Potential: All things exist in potential until they experience actualization through change.

• Uncaused Cause: Aristotle argues for the existence of a prime mover to explain causation and motion.

The Three Souls

• Every living being has a soul, categorized into three types:

  • Vegetative Soul: Basic functions like growth and sustenance (plants).

  • Animal Soul: Capability for thought and instinct (animals).

  • Rational Soul: Unique to humans; allows for rational thought and contemplation of virtue.

Ethical Philosophy of Aristotle

• Virtue is defined as a habit, not just a good action.

• To cultivate virtue, one should practice virtuous actions repeatedly.

• Virtue corresponds to the pursuit of character development and moral excellence.

The Golden Mean

• Virtue represents a mean between deficiencies and excesses:

  • Courage: Between cowardice and rashness.

  • Self-Respect: Between vanity and self-pity.

  • Wit: Between buffoonery and boorishness.

Reflection on Personal Growth

• Emphasis on active decision-making regarding one's character and habits.

• Encourages students to consider their long-term aspirations and the virtues they want to cultivate.

Conclusion

• The class will transition to discussing Augustine in the next session.