What caused this?

ARISTOTLE’S PRIME MOVER

KEY QUESTION:Is Aristotle’s argument of the Prime Mover philosophically coherent?

STARTER TASK:Consider this statement:“Everything that exists has a CAUSE

& EFFECT”

What does this mean?

ListeningApril 18, 2023

What are the four causes of this painting?

Reviewing

All students to be able to describe and show understanding of Aristotle’s notion of the Prime

Mover(grade E & D)

Most students should be able to analyse Aristotle’s notion of the Prime Mover using the

analogy of linea causes (dominos)(grade C)

Some students will be able to evaluate Aristotle’s notion of the Prime Mover using Bertrand

Russell’s criticism of “Brute Fact”(grade B & A)

Learning Outcomes

PRIME MOVER

• All MATTER must have a FORM but there is one exception – the Prime Mover. This is a pure substance that has no form.

• This is Aristotle’s idea of God. Not one that people can pray to or have a relationship with, but rather it represents the end to which all matter is moving and aspiring.

In your Notes: Explain what is meant by THE PRIME MOVER Include: transcendent,

ARISTOTLE AND THE FORMS

• Aristotle disagreed with Plato - he felt there was no proof that Forms existed beyond this world.

• Aristotle believed that Forms could only exist as part of things in this world – not as things in themselves beyond this world (Forms did not exist in a metaphysical world only in this one).

Aristotle noticed 4 things:

1. The physical world was constantly changing (in motion)

2. The planets seemed to be moving eternally3. Change or motion is always caused by

something4. Objects in the physical world were in a state of

actuality and potentiality.

• If there is change, then there must be something to initiate it. The final cause behind everything is the Prime Mover or the Unmoved Mover.

The Prime Mover

• The Unmoved Mover is thought or intelligence. • The Unmoved/Prime Mover has no divine plan

and does not know the world.

• PM only thinks about PM, if he thought about the world, Aristotle believed, then he would not be perfect.

Why is this???

Cause of the Universe

• The first domino is moved by something that is different from the domino itself, the Prime mover.

What problems does this analogy encounter?

•Efficient cause not final cause.

•Infinite regress

The Prime mover• The prime mover is the ultimate explanation of why

things exist - a final cause.• It is Necessary, or else there would be nothing.

What is the prime mover like?

Unchanging - pure actuality Simple - not made of parts.

Not physical - thought. Impersonal and transcendent

Evaluating the argument

• Existence of universe is a ‘brute fact’, requiring no final cause. B Russell.

Where did matter come from if Prime mover is thought only?

Does there have to be a final cause, could it not be chance?

If PM is God, then not very friendly.

Compare Aristotle’s idea of God to the Christian idea of God

Plato and Aritotle’s influence on Christianity.

• Design a poster to explain how either Plato or Aristotle’s views have been incorporated into modern religious views.

All students to be able to describe and show understanding of Aristotle’s notion of the Prime

Mover(grade E & D)

Most students should be able to analyse Aristotle’s notion of the Prime Mover using the

analogy of linea causes (dominos)(grade C)

Some students will be able to evaluate Aristotle’s notion of the Prime Mover using Bertrand

Russell’s criticism of “Brute Fact”(grade B & A)

Learning Outcomes

• Homework – Complete

‘Aristotle’s concept of the Prime Mover is incoherent’. Discuss. (10)