Aristotle’s Theory of Motion

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The scientist Aristotle (384-322 BCE) developed many important theories which modern day physics is based upon. One of these theories is Aristotle’s theory of motion. Through his research Aristotle attempted to provide explanations as to how objects in our universe moved. While many of his theories have been since proven to be inaccurate, they provided a basis for future theories which eventually lead to our present day understanding of motion.
To understand Aristotle’s overall theory of motion you must first understand his classification of matter. Aristotle believed that all matter consist of one of the five elements, earth, water, air, fire, and aether (Fowler). Each element had a place it belonged, with the most complex being aether which was heavenly bodies. Each of these elements had to be paired with an opposite which consist of, hot, cold, wet and dry. He then used these elements and opposites to describe all things on Earth and in our known universe. Each element had a natural resting place, for instance, water had a natural resting place between earth and air. This logic was then used to justify how and why lakes and streams exist, water runs downhill, but sits on top of earth. Another example of this is, since wood is composed mostly of air and so it floats on water.
Aristotle’s theory of motion is centered on this idea of a natural resting place. He believed that all motion was centered upon the object trying to reach its natural resting position. (Jones) Aristotle also used the principles of natural motion and violent motion to describe movements. Violent motion used to describe motion which has an external force used to move it (Fowler). A rock falling would be described as natural motion because its natural ten...

... middle of paper ...

...force applied. (Jones) Using this rule you would conclude that as soon as you stopped pushing an object it stopped moving. We know this to be false since the momentum keeps the object moving. Aristotle’s theories had a certain elegance to them, but overall they have not held up through time. His theories were important in the time, but there are many holes in them using the facts we know to be true in today’s world. His theories have been an important stepping stone leading to other advancements in physics such as Newton’s laws of motion.

Works Cited
Fowler, Michael. "Aristotle." Aristotle. University of Virginia, 3 Sept. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
Jones, Andrew Z. "Physics of the Greeks." About.com Physics. About.com, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
Sachs, Joe. "Aristotle: Motion and Its Place in Nature ." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.

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