In the beginning of book II, Aristotle ends chapter three by stating that, "final causality governs the action of formal causes, and thus characterizes the whole realm of nature." I disagree with the idea that the final result governs the action of formal causes, or the plan. Saying that the end result dictates the process is illogical because without the process, how would an end be reached? Predetermination is limiting to all aspects of the journey, only perpetuating a limited end. When a person determines that the end is set, and that the path taken to attain the end is irrelevant as a result, apathy is risked. Without being consciously engaged, and unaware of "what's to come," you risk accepting anything. That is to say, you risk losing sight of the actual process, focusing your energy (which is essentially wasted) on a result that cannot be attained without committing to the process.
I am not a firm believer that "whatever happens happens," or that everything "happens for a reason." To believe in either of those beliefs would mean I believed that things were already set for us. I do not believe that the end can be what justifies the means, because without the means, our ends are still ambiguous. I believe that our actions mold what we end up as, and it can vary--on a daily basis--causing our end to vary consequently. How can our varying means justify a set end? If one directly begets the other, and one is so obviously undetermined, shouldn't our ends reflect that? Wouldn't that make them undetermined?
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I think it's interesting that you point out the claims "whatever happens happens," and "everything happens for a reason" as similar... believing in both means things are already planned out. I never thought of it that way... but I guess justifying something as "happening" either by chance or by a specific goal, is still noting that it was meant to be that way. I still understand the point that varying means can justify a set end though... different causes generate different effects, no matter if they are termed undetermined or predetermined.
ReplyDeleteI can agree that ignoring the process of achieving the ends would be a waste of energy. One thing I would like to address is the reasoning for desires/wants of a human. Why is one at college? Why does one go on a diet? Why does one set up a 401k? Why does one exercise vigorously on a daily basis? My point is that there are many ends that are derived from our emotionally or mental desire/wants. As I do not believe that the means show be ignored, I have to agree with Aristotle that the ends justify the means, good post.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to deal with the concept of "fate". Thinking that our lives are mapped and planned out is annoying though, for if someone tries to disprove this fact by doing something spontaneous or unexpected someone else can just say that even that action was a part of their fate or destiny.
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