University of Notre Dame
Browse
- No file added yet -

Aristotle's Teleology and Modern Mechanics

Download (814.99 kB)
thesis
posted on 2004-01-22, 00:00 authored by Christopher V. Mirus
This dissertation addresses teleology in the writings of Aristotle and in relation to modern mechanics. In chapters one through three, I argue that Aristotle's teleology is theoretically grounded in the claim that both as an explanatory and as a causal factor, actuality is prior to potentiality. As actualities, therefore, both form and function are prior to the material and efficient causes that condition their occurrence in nature. In chapters four and five, I then consider the recent 'systems' or 'cybernetic' view of goal-directedness, along with some basic features of mechanical systems and laws more generally, in light of Aristotle's teleology. I conclude that from an Aristotelian point of view there is no conflict between teleological and mechanical approaches to nature.

History

Date Created

2004-01-22

Date Modified

2018-10-31

Defense Date

2003-11-17

Research Director(s)

Phillip R. Sloan

Degree

  • Doctor of Philosophy

Degree Level

  • Doctoral Dissertation

Language

  • English

Alternate Identifier

etd-01222004-210357

Publisher

University of Notre Dame

Program Name

  • History and Philosophy of Science

Usage metrics

    Dissertations

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC