Aristotle: The influence of the Second Analytics in Physics

In Physics II, Aristotle seeks to establish what is the nature and essence of natural beings through which what they are is defined and which explains why they are in a certain way. In the same work, the two natures present in natural beings are distinguished: form and matter.

The concept of nature, worked on in the work in question, involves an internal relationship between form and matter – as was also pointed out, later, in the work Metaphysics, given that Physics precedes Metaphysics for being the knowledge of the principles and first causes of nature and, because of this, validates the metaphysical (subsequent) search for first causes and principles.

It is worth remembering that the concept of nature worked on in Physics II is conceived in two ways: “in a way, nature is called the first matter that underlies each one of those who possess in themselves the principle of movement or change; but, in another way, the configuration is called nature and the form according to the definition” (Arist., Physics II, 1, 193a 28). These two ways of conceiving such a concept will be evident throughout this text.

The epistemology of the Second Analytics and its echoes in Aristotelian Physics

The work Physics II aims to delimit what is related to the principles of nature. This means defining how the relationship between form and matter enables us to scientifically understand natural entities. Aristotle previously assumes the existence of matter: the four elements – fire, air, earth, water and air –, their natural movements and their compounds. It should be clear that the philosopher takes the movement proper to these elements as a form of absolute necessity. Therefore, it is admitted that Physics is, in essence, a demonstrative science whose presupposition is that of the existence and essence of its object.

However, the Stagirite questions whether, in addition to absolute necessity (responsibility of matter), there is no other necessity in nature, the hypothetical necessity – this involves the concepts of form and end. Form is taken for granted and requires a material with certain properties. It is considered responsible for the proper concatenation of causal series within the scope of matter, since causal series are not naturally organized in the required order to generate phenomena. Nevertheless, it is necessary that the form, as assumed as a previous foundation, manages the causal series of matter.

For there to be a definition of natural entities, it must enunciate form, matter and their movements. Aristotle notes that the definition that agrees with ordinary language says about the material constitution of the entity and the properties of that matter. Therefore, they are the starting point of the investigation.

After discovering the causes, a demonstrative syllogism can be set up, in which the initial definition takes the place of the conclusion. The function of the syllogism is to dismember the unity of the natural essence. The definition must therefore enunciate the form and the end, the function of the being, the matter and its movements.

The form of the being has the most important function due to the fact that it is responsible for the matter. The definition has the following representation: D = F → . The best definition is the one that allows the properties of an object to be more completely demonstrated, that is, the causal definition, since this is what indicates the first cause (it is through this that the object is what it is). However, it is up to physics to resort to the different types of cause: final, formal, motor and material. And also, for each of the causes of natural substances, the physicist must investigate what is their form, their matter and their purpose, because:

According to the extended conception, physics must not simply presuppose its principles and limit itself to deducing the properties of its object from them, but must above all investigate principles and causes, that is, determine which things play the role of cause each time. formal, material, final, etc. (BERTI, 1998, p. 69-70).

Thus it is clear that the physicist must be aware of all four causes.

The essence of natural beings is considered as a part of the soul – the form – and its search is an important task of physics. As exposed by Aristotle, the essence cannot be demonstrated, however, the terms of the definition can be reorganized in a demonstrative syllogism.

In Second Analytics II, the Greek philosopher says that the rationality of physics, as a science, is apodictic rationality. In the same treatise, it is stated that the status of science is the demonstration of properties of a given object based on its own principles, that is, “the apprehension of its existence and the definition of its essence” (BERTI, 1998, p. 47) . These two principles of physics are based on the immediate given phenomenon of experience.

Physics is the science that shows essence through sensation. The path taken by this science, so that the knowledge of the principles is achieved, takes place through sensitive knowledge. The principle of movement results from experience, from sensations and one must seek what is the cause, the conditions that make it possible. Being a demonstrative science, it shows how “always” or “generally” things are in a certain way. The epistemological status attributed to it is the search for the definition, first of all, of what refers to the principles, because its object is what is the genus of the substance that has, in itself, the principle of movement and rest.

It is evident, then, the relationship between Segundos Analíticos II and Physics I-II in terms of the theory of knowledge: the first work, when dealing with apodictic – its structure, use, method and form and object – classifies Physics as a science demonstrative, that is, apodictic. Thus, it deals with the epistemology of Physics, as such, in Segundos Analíticos II.

Bibliographic references:

BERTI, E. The Reasons of Aristotle. São Paulo: Loyola, 1998.

ARISTOTLE. Physics I-II. Campinas: Editora da Unicamp, 2009.

Related