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

Aristotles Physics 2.1 - Term Paper interpretery of four motions in Metaphysics with Platos philosophy of forms in order to illustrate the difference amidst the philosophies of the two, showing the important evolutionary link between the ideals. Where the fundamental rules and laws of Nature (Physics) operate through a logic and reason that is pre-determined in the metaphysical, we can trace this concept in Western theory 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 outset 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 Some of the things-that- atomic number 18 atomic number 18 by nature (phusei), but others are due to other causes diallas aitias e.g. artifacts. In Aristotles philosophy, which forms the basis of classical humanism, there is a fun damental duality between Physics, the substantial world and the logic of its operation, and 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 divergent 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 introducing Nature as we understand it, meaning the pictorial world, the environment, creation, etc. as a kind of cause, he is introducing a type of essence or substantive identity as cause through phusei. When we consider nature as cause in the consciousness it is posited by Aristotle, we should perhaps translate it as natural essence or original essence to take closer to the meaning the philosopher intended, which is also related to characteristic