Metaphysics is defined by Aristotle, as the science of being.
Aristotle writes there are both derivative and independent existence.
An example of both is a brown dog.
Aristotle calls these entities "substances."
Aristotle made a distinction between matter and essence.
Aristotle gives four causes of existence:
Aristotle's elements were defined by cold or hot and dry or wet. (He also classified ether, or the stuff he could not identify like stars, and other heavenly bodies)
According to Aristotle, all earthly things were made of combinations of the four main elements, except the stars and other heavenly bodies which were made of ether.
Aristotle writes there are both derivative and independent existence.
An example of both is a brown dog.
- "Brownness" cannot exist by itself, it depends on an object for existence, and therefore its existence is derivative.
- A dog, however, can exist by itself, so it demonstrates independent existence.
Aristotle calls these entities "substances."
- The Greek word can also be translated as "basic reality.")
- Aristotle goes further substances, but it's very confusing and are still disputed by scholars.
Aristotle made a distinction between matter and essence.
- Matter was just potential. "stuff" that had no form, but made up everything in the universe.
- Essence is what gives matter reality, it's the idea or concept of an object:
- Essence cannot exist on its own.
Aristotle gives four causes of existence:
- The material cause, (the substance the object is made of)
- The efficient cause, (the energy that changes the matter)
- The formal cause, (the shape or form of the object)
- The final cause, (the ultimate intention behind its creation)
- The final cause, (the force behind everything, would be God)
Aristotle's elements were defined by cold or hot and dry or wet. (He also classified ether, or the stuff he could not identify like stars, and other heavenly bodies)
- Water, (cold and wet)
- Earth, (cold and dry)
- Air, (hot and wet)
- Fire, (hot and dry)
- Ether. (stars and other heavenly bodies)
According to Aristotle, all earthly things were made of combinations of the four main elements, except the stars and other heavenly bodies which were made of ether.