Aristotelianismi

Aristotelianism is a philosophical tradition based on the teachings of Aristotle, a Greek philosopher who lived from 384 to 322 BCE. Aristotle's work encompassed a vast range of subjects, including logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, biology, and physics, and his ideas have profoundly influenced Western thought for centuries. Key tenets of Aristotelianism include the importance of empirical observation and experience in gaining knowledge, the belief in teleology (the idea that things have inherent purposes or ends), and the concept of hylomorphism, which posits that substances are composed of both matter and form.

In metaphysics, Aristotle distinguished between potentiality and actuality, and developed the concept of the four causes (material, formal, efficient, and final) to explain change and existence. His ethical system, outlined in the Nicomachean Ethics, emphasizes virtue ethics, arguing that happiness (eudaimonia) is achieved through virtuous activity and the cultivation of character. Aristotelianism also influenced medieval scholasticism, particularly through thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, who synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology. While some aspects of Aristotle's scientific views have been superseded by modern science, his logical frameworks and ethical principles continue to be studied and debated.