Reflection # 14

Aristotle's Writings about the nature of life which included the four causes the nature of different species and or beings and the unmoved mover creates an urge to understand not only mans and other species purpose but everything that involves creation. In Aristotle's Great Chain of beings, he describes different species from lowest to highest the lowest being worms and the highest being God. From what I understand Aristotle's thought behind which species should be considered lower than the other or higher than the other is based upon the soul and mind. He also states that in some species cases the one may be greater than the other, although it is considered lower in the great chain of being. For example cats and dogs, some people would consider a cat to be a greater being than a dog and vice versa. The Great Chain of Beings is also known as the ladder of creation. When you think of a Ladder, you can go up or down but it is not called a ladder of creation for this reason. In the ladder there are two levels of which one can be placed and that it is high or low. So no, an insect can not trade places with a human or an animal cannot trade levels with an angle and most certainly no being can take the place of God. In Aristotle's theory of The Unmoved mover he claims this to be the mover of all things but this mover moves without anything causing it to move. He states that the first heaven is the mover of all things. All other things that are moved move by being moved by some other force that is being moved. The unmoved mover is moved by the emotion of love. In Aristotle's 4 causes he speaks about the causes of materials an example of this is what happens when you mix the color blue with yellow it causes the color to change into green. The second type of cause is a formal cause. an example of this cause is if you have four wooden legs and top t makes a table. The third cause is efficient cause. An example of this cause is, efficient cause of the butterfly is the caterpillar. The last cause is the Final cause. An example of this cause is exercising will make you healthy.