Essay about Aristotle vs Plato - 1665 Words

Aristotle is considered by many to be one of the most influential philosophers in history. As a student of Plato, he built on his mentor’s metaphysical teachings of things like The Theory of Forms and his views on the soul. However, he also challenged them, introducing his own metaphysical ideas such as act and potency, hylemorphism, and the four causes. He used these ideas to explain his account of the soul and the immateriality of intellect. Prior to Aristotle, philosophers like Parmenides and Heraclitus argued about the existence of change. Aristotle used the terms act and potency to respond to Parmenides arguments about change’s non-existence and bridge the gap between Parmenides and Heraclitus’ polar views.†¦show more content†¦He rejected his predecessor’s beliefs that there was only one principle, as he believed that in order for something to change and not itself be changed in the process it must consist of two principles; one that changes and one that remains the same. Aristotle believed that these substances were form and matter. It was Aristotle’s claim that form is the constant, unchanging principle in a person. It is because of form that we have consistency and permanence (Feser 10/27/10). Just as importantly, there is matter, the principle which allows a substance to be changed and prevents it from being stagnent in one place or time. It is because of matter that we have change and imperfections (Feser 10/27/10). We can see the idea of Hylemorphism represented in Aristotle’s other doctrine, act and potency. Matter is a things potential, or its ability to be â€Å"in potency;† while form is a things ability to change matter from potential to being â€Å"actualized† (Internet Source 1). In response to the numerous metaphysical questions of his day, Aristotle derived his theory of The Four Causes. These causes attempted to explain the cause or purpose of something; or the â€Å"why?â⠂¬  These causes are the Formal Cause, Material Cause, Efficient cause, and Final Cause. The first called the Formal Cause deals with a thing’s form which holds its true nature or essence. Second, the Material Cause explains the matter that a thing is madeShow MoreRelatedPlato vs. Aristotle2421 Words   |  10 PagesBy Gerard Chretien Plato vs. Aristotle Numerous experts in modern time regard Plato as the first genuine political philosopher and Aristotle as the first political scientist. They were both great thinkers in regards to, in part with Socrates, being the foundation of the great western philosophers. Plato and Aristotle each had ideas in how to proceed with improving the society in which they were part of during their existence. 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