Aristotle’s Four Causes
The why…
Earlier this week I was introduced Aristotle’s Four Causes. According to Wikipedia, “The ‘four causes’ are elements of an influential principle in Aristotelian thought whereby explanations of change or movement are classified into four fundamental types of answer to the question “why?”.
This reminded me of a lecture from last year Identify a Problem: Finding the Right Opportunity. In this lecture I was introduced to the concept of a business’s “WHY?” and how it relates to the “HOW?” and “WHAT?”. I was shown an example that included the following:
Why = The Purpose
What is your cause? What do you believe?
Apple: We believe in challenging the status quo and doing this differently
How = The Process
Specific actions taken to realize the Why.
Apple: Our products are beautifully designed and easy to use
What = The Result
What do you do? The result of Why. Proof.
Apple: We make computers
Now, back to Aristotle. The example which illustrates his four causes is a table.
“Matter:
A change or movement’s material cause, is the aspect of the change or movement which is determined by the material that composes the moving or changing things. For a table, that might be wood; for a statue, that might be bronze or marble.
Form:
A change or movement’s formal cause, is a change or movement caused by the arrangement, shape or appearance of the thing changing or moving. Aristotle says for example that the ratio 2:1, and number in general, is the cause of the octave. For a table, that would be the design.
Agent:
A change or movement’s efficient or moving cause, consists of things apart from the thing being changed or moved, which interact so as to be an agency of the change or movement. For example, the efficient cause of a table is a carpenter, or a person working as one, and according to Aristotle the efficient cause of a boy is a father.
End or purpose:
A change or movement’s final cause, is that for the sake of which a thing is what it is. For a table, that might be dining or gathering.”
The relation of the four causes to something’s “why” is truly fascinating. I’m still trying to figure out my personal “why.” I think breaking it down in the way Aristotle explained will help me to better understand myself and my future.
