Aristotle's Forms: For & Against

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  • Created by: nelliott
  • Created on: 24-06-21 10:39

Aristotle's Forms: For & Against

Advantages

  • Compatibility with science: Aristotle's theory is preferred to Plato's theory of Forms, which seems to require that a lot be accepted on faith. Aristotle was a materialist and an empiricist. He had support from more modern empiricists, such as Hume, Locke and Berkeley. Scientists proceed in a similar way, basing theories on prior experience.
  • Explanations can work on different levels at the same time: Aristotle's theory shows us there can be several different reasons or explanations for the existence of something e.g., science and religion has always seemed to be conflicting, but this might not be the case.
  • Influence on other disciples: His ideas have been developed by many philosophers. It has also developed modern science. Christian thinkers, such as Thomas Aquinas have also used Aristotle's concept of the Prime mover to develop his cosmological argument.

Disadvantages

  • Aristotle's emphasis on observation and experience can be disputed: Aristotle criticised Plato, arguing there was no concrete evidence. However, many philosophers today take Plato's side and argue that true knowledge comes from reason. Rationalists like Descartes take a sceptical approach to the reliability of the senses.
  • Aristotle's view of the 'Final Cause' can be disputed: He argues everything has a reason for existing however some things (e.g. the appendix) has no purpose. He also argued that there is a purpose behind the universe as a whole, however many people believe the universe is random. Bertrand Russell argued there is no evidence of design in the universe.
  • Aristotle's ideas about the Prime Mover have been criticised: For many philosophers, the idea of an unmoved mover is regarded as a contradiction and impossibility. Aristotle also describes the Prime Mover as 'spiritual energy', but this contradicts his empirical view of the world.

Evaluation

It appears that Aristotle's theory is far more compatible with science than Plato's. However, it is not as favoured by philosophers, which contradicts what he was trying to achieve. 

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