Aristotle Thesis Defense

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Aristotle Thesis Defense Paper

The topic I have chosen as the basis of my essay is that of how humans fit into the scale of nature according to Aristotle. To answer this question, we must first ask ourselves several other questions in order to better understand Aristotle’s thinking. First we must ask, “What is nature according to Aristotle?” then we must ask, “What is the scale of nature?” and finally, we answer the main question at hand and that is how humans fit into the scale of nature according to Aristotle. We will also touch base on several other principles of Aristotelian thinking that pertain to this subject matter.

Nature, according to Aristotle, is an internal principle of change and being at rest (Physics 2.1, 192b20–23). What this means is that when a being moves or is at rest according to its nature, orientation to its nature may serve as a justification of the event. Natures as internal principles of change and rest are contrasted with active powers or potentialities (dunameis), which are external principles of change and being at rest, operative on the corresponding internal passive capacities or potentialities. The active and passive potentiality need to be specified when a change, or a state of rest, is not natural. So in a way, Natures do double duty: once it becomes operative, a further active, or further passive capacity no longer needs to be entreated.

For the next section of this essay, I came across a work by the scholars E. M. W. Tillyard and A. O. Lovejoy who claimed that ancient and medieval thought were both shaped by a certain ideological framework known as the "The Chain of Being." Occasionally called the Scala Natura (scale of nature), this view perceived that all of creation existe...

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...n and to defend Aristotle’s theory I have made many connections. Several of which completely agree with Aristotle’s idea of man in nature. Aristotelian theory shows that man was and is superior to all lesser beings such as animals, plants, and minerals. Throughout history, man has served as conqueror and king of the world around him. Man is also guilty of disrupting the Chain of Being, by trying to become more than he is. Man was and never is supposed to play the role of God. Man’s sole purpose according to Aristotle is to use what the earth has to offer in a way that isn’t damaging to it or that makes humanity rise above their place in the grand scheme of things. Doing the research for this piece opened my eyes to several other topics that I wish to look into at a later date. It really amazes me how so many aspects of life can be so interconnected to one another.

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