The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Ep. 338: Aristotle on Potential vs. Actual and the Unmoved Mover (Part Two)
Apr 1, 2024
Exploring Aristotle's ideas on potential vs. actual, the Meno problem, and the Unmoved Mover's influence on beings' actualization. Delving into form, matter, causality, and completeness. Discussing God's contemplation, divinity participation, and order in the universe. Also, analyzing non-natural causation and metaphysical problems in Aristotle's philosophy.
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Actuality Prioritized Over Potential
- Aristotle prioritizes actuality over potentiality, resolving the seed and corn chicken-egg problem.
- The fully formed actual entity is ontologically prior to its potential stages.
Distinguishing Learning Potentials
- Aristotle distinguishes between the potential to learn and the potential to do, refining the Meno paradox.
- Learning actualizes potential by habit and practice, not merely recollection.
Form Belongs to Actuality
- Actuality has form; potentiality lacks the completed form.
- Being at work is an end; things strive to actualize their form for their own sake.