Date of Award
Spring 4-20-2020
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Classics, Philosophy, and Religion
Department Chair or Program Director
Romero, Joseph
First Advisor
Vasey, Craig
Major or Concentration
Philosophy
Abstract
This paper investigates the problems which arise from integrating a notion of prime matter into Aristotle's works. After an analysis of both The Metaphysics and The Physics, it becomes clear that prime matter arguments do not adhere to Aristotle's ontological hierarchy. After exposing the flaws of the traditional prime matter argument, the extended prime matter argument, and the prime matter as a principle of change argument, a new interpretation of how Aristotle could respond to this problem of prime matter is presented. Aristotle's Final Cause serves to be a better candidate for the position which other scholars have granted prime matter primarily because it adheres to Aristotelian ontology.
Recommended Citation
Hinton, Addison, "On Primary Matter & Causality: An Investigation into The Nature of Aristotelian Ontology" (2020). Student Research Submissions. 334.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/334