Full Idea
The nature of a thing is its end and purpose.
Gist of Idea
The nature of a thing is its end and purpose
Source
Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 194a29)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Physics', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1996], p.37
A Reaction
Cf 5084. This is the teleologists' manifesto, but it is very hard to find out why Aristotle took this view. He seems to offer it as self-evident. What would he have made of the proposal that there is no ultimate purpose to anything?
Related Idea
Idea 5084 A thing's nature is what causes its changes and stability [Aristotle]