|
|
Type of Document Dissertation Author Mirus, Christopher V. Author's Email Address cmirus@nd.edu URN etd-01222004-210357 Title Aristotle's Teleology and Modern Mechanics Degree Doctor of Philosophy Department History and Philosophy of Science Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Michael J. Loux Committee Co-Chair Phillip R. Sloan Committee Co-Chair Keywords
- motion
- metaphysics
- laws of nature
Date of Defense 2003-11-17 Availability unrestricted Abstract 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.Files
Filename Size Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)
28.8 Modem 56K Modem ISDN (64 Kb) ISDN (128 Kb) Higher-speed Access MirusC012004.pdf 834.55 Kb 00:03:51 00:01:59 00:01:44 00:00:52 00:00:04