MATTER VS. FORM
What is Matter in Metaphysics?
The physical substance something is made of
How many causes did Aristotle describe?
four causes
Wood used to make a table
the material cause
For a pizza, what is the final cause?
to be eaten or provide nourishment
Name the philosopher most associated with the ideas of matter, form, and the four causes.
Aristotle
What is form in metaphysics?
the shape, structure, or essence that makes something what it is
Which cause explains what something is made of?
the material cause
The design of a chair
The formal Cause
What is the material cause of a smartphone?
metals, glass, and plastic
Explain all four causes of a book.
Material: paper/ink
Formal: The square shape
Efficient: author
Final: to be read/learn from
A statue is made of marble. Which is the matter and which is the form?
Matter: marble
Form: the statue’s shape/design
Which cause explains the purpose of something?
the final cause
A carpenter building a house
The efficient cause
What is the formal cause of a basketball?
its round shape and design
Explain how matter and form work together to make an object a “thing” instead of just raw material.
Matter provides the substance, while form gives it structure and identity; together they make something what it is.
Why can matter exist without a specific form, but form cannot exist without matter?
Form needs matter to exist physically, while matter can take many forms.
Which cause explains how something comes to exist?
the efficient cause
A house being built to provide shelter
The final cause
Who or what is the efficient cause of a painting?
The artist
Why did Aristotle believe understanding the final cause was important?
-Because it explains the purpose or meaning behind something’s existence
A clay pot is smashed and reshaped into a bowl. Explain what changes and what stays the same using metaphysical terms.
The form changes (pot to bowl), but the matter (clay) remains the same.
Which of the four causes explains why something exists rather than how it was made, and why is this cause considered essential in metaphysics?
The final cause, because it explains the purpose or goal of a thing, which gives meaning to its existence.
A blueprint, construction workers, steel beams, and the purpose of transportation all explain different aspects of a bridge. Name Each of the 4 causes.
Material cause: steel beams
Formal cause: blueprint/design
Efficient cause: construction workers
Final cause: transportation
A wooden desk is redesigned into a standing desk without changing the wood. Which cause is altered, which stays the same, and why?
The formal cause changes (new design), the material cause stays the same (wood), because the substance remains while the structure changes.
A school exists as a building, a place of learning, and a community. Identify all four causes and explain how each contributes to what a school truly is.
Material cause: bricks, concrete, materials
Formal cause: the structure and organization of classrooms
Efficient cause: builders, teachers, administrators
Final cause: education and learning