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Single Idea 5087
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / b. Limited purposes
]
Full Idea
From one point of view we too are ends. What a thing is for is ambiguous.
Gist of Idea
A thing's purpose is ambiguous, and from one point of view we ourselves are ends
Source
Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 194a35)
Book Ref
Aristotle: 'Physics', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1996], p.38
A Reaction
A really interesting concession from the great teleologist. This opens up what I think of as the 'existentialist' possibility - that we can invent our own purposes. If there are two types of 'telos', which one matters for morality?
The
17 ideas
with the same theme
[aspects of nature are defined by purpose]:
2684
|
Aristotle needed to distinguish teleological description from teleological explanation
[Irwin on Aristotle]
|
5227
|
The nature of any given thing is determined by its end
[Aristotle]
|
5866
|
It is folly not to order one's life around some end
[Aristotle]
|
5086
|
The nature of a thing is its end and purpose
[Aristotle]
|
5087
|
A thing's purpose is ambiguous, and from one point of view we ourselves are ends
[Aristotle]
|
5091
|
Teeth and crops are predictable, so they cannot be mere chance, but must have a purpose
[Aristotle]
|
2800
|
The best instruments have one purpose, not many
[Aristotle]
|
4826
|
Nature has no particular goal in view, and final causes are mere human figments
[Spinoza]
|
19376
|
A machine is best defined by its final cause, which explains the roles of the parts
[Leibniz]
|
2195
|
We can discover some laws of nature, but never its ultimate principles and causes
[Hume]
|
18237
|
Without men creation would be in vain, and without final purpose
[Kant]
|
5591
|
Reason must assume as necessary that everything in a living organism has a proportionate purpose
[Kant]
|
7176
|
'Purpose' is like the sun, where most heat is wasted, and a tiny part has 'purpose'
[Nietzsche]
|
4422
|
The end need not be the goal, as in the playing of a melody (and yet it must be completed)
[Nietzsche]
|
7368
|
Originally there were no reasons, purposes or functions; since there were no interests, there were only causes
[Dennett]
|
6538
|
We need a notion of teleology that comes in degrees
[Lycan]
|
21045
|
Teleological thinking is essential for social and political issues
[Sandel]
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