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Full Idea
Aristotle's distinction between four different kinds of aitia ('becauses'?) arguably involves the recognition of grounding in the formal and material aitia.
Gist of Idea
Aristotle's formal and material 'becauses' [aitiai] arguably involve grounding
Source
report of Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 198a24) by Correia,F/Schnieder,B - Grounding: an opinionated introduction 2
Book Ref
'Metaphysical Grounding', ed/tr. Correia,F/Schnieder,B [CUP 2012], p.2
A Reaction
Insofar as the other two (efficient and final) involve explanation, one might say that they too involve a different sort of grounding. Is a statue 'grounded' in the sculptor, or in the purpose of the statue?
Related Idea
Idea 11250 Four Explanations: the essence and form; the matter; the source; and the end [Aristotle, by Politis]
17262 | Aristotle's formal and material 'becauses' [aitiai] arguably involve grounding [Aristotle, by Correia/Schnieder] |
17265 | Philosophical proofs in mathematics establish truths, and also show their grounds [Bolzano, by Correia/Schnieder] |
14268 | Maybe bottom-up grounding shows constitution, and top-down grounding shows essence [Fine,K] |
17274 | Philosophical explanation is largely by ground (just as cause is used in science) [Fine,K] |
17290 | Only metaphysical grounding must be explained by essence [Fine,K] |
17727 | We can learn about the world by studying the grounding of our concepts [Jenkins] |
17296 | We must accept grounding, for our important explanations [Audi,P] |
17268 | Grounding is metaphysical and explanation epistemic, so keep them apart [Correia/Schnieder] |