What are Aristotle's four causes?

Aristotle offers four causes to explain how things come to be. There is the material cause, which literally refers to the stuff that a thing is made from. There is the efficient case, which is the agent that brings something about - so essentially the hammer and nails. There is the formal cause, which is the sort of thing something is - essentially the idea in mind, so the blueprint. Lastly, there is the final cause, which is the goal or purpose.

SL

Related Philosophy and Ethics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you write a good essay?


What is Wittgenstein's theory of language games and how can I use it in a question?


Critically assess the Teleological argument as proof for the existence of God


discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Kant's Deontological ethics, how well does it work as a theory?