Answer to Question #198199 in Philosophy for Nduoma Chidinma Au

Question

Describe Aristotle's four senses of substance

Answer 1

Aristotle defines substance as ultimate reality, in that substance does not belong to any other category of being, and in that substance is the category of being on which every other category of being is based. Substance is both essence (form) and substratum (matter), and may combine form and matter.

Formal Cause - the defining characteristics of (e.g., shape) the thing. Final Cause - the purpose of the thing. Efficient Cause - the antecedent condition that brought the thing about.