Aristothelic theory of causality: a contribution to contemporary biology

Abstract

This paper centers on the Aristotelian theory of causality, its position within science, specifically within the science of Natural Philosophy. At the same time the paper relates its conclusions to Darwin’s evolutionary theory —which Darwin himself considers Aristotelian in character— and shows that this represents an incongruity because of the perspective he himself takes. Also, many recent and contemporary evolutionists fall into the same inconsistencies and make similar mistaken affirmations, due precisely to not considering the differences between sciences. Often these errors are really metaphysical assertions, even though those who make them deny the value of Metaphysics, or fail to distinguish it from the realm of science. Finally, the paper aims to show the relevance of Aristotelian thought in this issue, despite its divergences from the studies that reject it, and that Aristotle can in fact shed light in a significant way on contemporary Biology and on other sciences, such as Physics and Natural Philosophy.