Single Idea 11246

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / a. Types of explanation]

Full Idea

The search for explanation as Aristotle conceives it is the search for the correct way to distinguish things into natural kinds, which may involve revising our initial conceptions.

Gist of Idea

Aristotelian explanations mainly divide things into natural kinds

Source

report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], kind) by Vassilis Politis - Aristotle and the Metaphysics 2.2

Book Reference

Politis,Vasilis: 'Aristotle and the Metaphysics' [Routledge 2004], p.35


A Reaction

Nowadays we would make the huge addition of objects and processes which are invisible to the naked eye, which Aristotle probably never envisaged. He is interested in categories, but we are also interested in mechanisms.