Aristotles Concept of Teleology Essay - 880 Words

Aristotles Concept of Teleology In his Physics, Aristotle examines the theories and ideas regarding nature of his predecessors and then, based upon his own ideas, theories and experiments, argues against what he believes are incorrect conclusions. One idea that Aristotle argues specifically is teleology. Teleology is the idea that natural phenomena are determined not only by mechanical causes but by an overall design or purpose in nature. In this essay, I will examine what Aristotles concept of teleology was and look at why he held this conception. First, lets talk about what we mean by teleology. Teleology is the study of ends, purposes, and goals. The word comes from the Greek word telos which means quot;endquot; or†¦show more content†¦He maintains that organisms develop as they do because they have a natural goal or telos in Greek. â€Å"Nature†, writes Aristotle, is â€Å"a ‘principle of motion and change †(Physics, 200b1), where â€Å"motion† or â€Å"movement† (or change as we discussed in our classroom) describes the â€Å"fulfillment of what exists potentially, in so far as it exists potentially†(201a) in a thing. But is there any reason for saying nature has a goal? Why cannot the rain rain and the sun shine, not because the sky is cloudy or clear but just by chance? Empedocles argued for a theory of natural selection on the basis of chance. The survival of the fittest means that those who happen to be more fit survive longer. The less fit perish. Aristotle rejects any theory of evolution. Things either occur by chance or they occur â€Å"always or for the most part, â€Å" which is the opposite of chance. You must admit that things that occur â€Å"always or for the most part† occur either by chance, or not by chance. If they occur not by chance, then they occur for a purpose. Lets take the example of monsters. Monsters occur by chance because they are not among those things that are always or for the most part. Man, on the other hand, survives because he is meant to survive. To argue that he is a result of chance is to argue that he does not exist always or for the most part, but only sometimes. This, of co urse, is absurd. Because most things in nature seem to occur most of the time and exhibit a pattern of changeShow MoreRelatedAristotles Concept of Teleology885 Words   |  4 PagesAristotles Concept of Teleology In his Physics, Aristotle examines the theories and ideas regarding nature of his predecessors and then, based upon his own ideas, theories and experiments, argues against what he believes are incorrect conclusions. One idea that Aristotle argues specifically is teleology. 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