Aristotle's Physics 2.1 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Aristotle's Physics 2.1 - Term Paper Example y of four causes in Metaphysics with Plato’s philosophy of forms in order to illustrate the difference between the philosophies of the two, showing the important evolutionary link between the ideals. Where the fundamental rules and laws of Nature (â€Å"Physics†) operate through a logic and reason that is pre-determined in the metaphysical, we can trace this concept in Western thought to the teachings of Aristotle, viewing their reflection in the scientific method and democratic system of government as foundational to our lives, realities, and understanding. The first question I will address is ‘the conception of nature as a kind of cause in Physics 2.1’ which can be illustrated in the following quote by Aristotle: â€Å"Some of the things-that-are are by nature (phusei), but others are due to other causes [diallas aitias] [e.g. artifacts].† In Aristotle’s philosophy, which forms the basis of Greek humanism, there is a fundamental duality between â€Å"Physics,† the material world and the logic of its operation, and â€Å"Metaphysics,† what is beyond the material world and exists only in the mind- the world of ideas, concepts, and mental events- also containing a logic of operation. Aristotle treats these subjects in different works, so to focus on Physics without attending to his ideas in Metaphysics would not give us a complete view of his overall philosophy. The critical point here is to focus on how the terms are being translated from the ancient Greek, for in this case Aristotle is not intro ducing â€Å"Nature† as we understand it, meaning the natural world, the environment, creation, etc. as a kind of cause, he is introducing a type of â€Å"essence† or essential identity as cause through phusei. When we consider â€Å"nature† as cause in the sense it is posited by Aristotle, we should perhaps translate it as â€Å"natural essence† or â€Å"original essence† to come closer to the meaning the philosopher intended, which is also related to characteristic