Two in nature - one in substratum : an Aristotelian metaphysical model for ontologically dependent entities
My research topic is the ontology of causation in Aristotle, with a view to also making a contribution to contemporary philosophy. I offer a new interpretation of Aristotleâs account of causation and perception. I argue that Aristotle understands the <i>causal link</i> in terms of a <i>single</i> complex entity which involves essentially <i>two</i> interdependent natures (e.g. an activity that grounds teaching and learning). Internally, such an entity has the same metaphysical structure as a line that grounds two vectors with opposite directions. But the causal entity, as opposed to the line and vectors, is itself ontologically dependent on the two substances that are in causal interaction. This is because the entityâs two natures are the realisation of two interdependent potentialities of the two substances (e.g. for teaching and learning). Aristotle builds a causal bridge between substances out of mutually realised potentialities of the two substances. Their mutual realisation binds them together into a net of ontological dependencies which delineates the boundary of the causal entity. In my thesis I describe the multifarious ontological dependencies and argue that Aristotle has made a unique contribution
Marmodoro, Anna
Two in nature - one in substratum : an Aristotelian metaphysical model for ontologically dependent entities. My research topic is the ontology of causation in Aristotle, with a view to also making a contribution to contemporary philosophy. I offer a new interpretation of Aristotleâs account of causation and perception. I argue that Aristotle understands the <i>causal link</i> in terms of a <i>single</i> complex entity which involves essentially <i>two</i> interdependent natures (e.g. an activity that grounds teaching and learning). Internally, such an entity has the same metaphysical structure as a line that grounds two vectors with opposite directions. But the causal entity, as opposed to the line and vectors, is itself ontologically dependent on the two substances that are in causal interaction. This is because the entityâs two natures are the realisation of two interdependent potentialities of the two substances (e.g. for teaching and learning). Aristotle builds a causal bridge between substances out of mutually realised potentialities of the two substances. Their mutual realisation binds them together into a net of ontological dependencies which delineates the boundary of the causal entity. In my thesis I describe the multifarious ontological dependencies and argue that Aristotle has made a unique contribution
nature substratum aristotelian metaphysical model ontologically dependent entity topic ontology causation aristotle_view also_make contemporary_philosophy offer_new interpretation aristotle_account causation perception argue aristotle understand causal link term single complex entity involve essentially interdependent nature activity ground teach_learn internally entity metaphysical structure line ground vector opposite direction causal entity opposed line vector ontologically dependent substance causal interaction entity nature realisation interdependent potentiality substance teach_learn aristotle build causal bridge substance mutually realise potentiality substance mutual realisation bind together net ontological dependency delineate boundary causal entity describe multifarious ontological dependency argue aristotle make unique