Single Idea 5990

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / c. Purpose denied]

Full Idea

Theophrastus questioned Aristotle's teaching on the extent to which teleological explanations could be applied to the natural world.

Clarification

'Teleological' explanations are in terms of purposes

Gist of Idea

Theophrastus doubted whether nature could be explained teleologically

Source

report of Theophrastus (On Metaphysics (frags) [c.320 BCE]) by H.B. Gottschalk - Aristotelianism

Book Reference

'Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy', ed/tr. Zeyl,Donald J. [Fitzroy Dearborn 1997], p.62


A Reaction

It is interesting to see that Aristotle's own immediate successor had doubts about teleology. We usually assume that the ancients were teleological, and this was rejected in the seventeenth century (e.g. Idea 4826).

Related Idea

Idea 4826 Nature has no particular goal in view, and final causes are mere human figments [Spinoza]