Final Cause

In Aristotelian philosophy, the final cause is the end, purpose, or goal that a thing is intended to achieve or serves. It answers the question “why” something exists or is done, representing the ultimate reason for its existence or activity. Essentially, it’s the telos, or the inherent purpose, that guides a thing’s development and actions.

Purpose and Goal: The final cause is about the objective reason for something’s existence or the outcome it’s meant to achieve.
Telos: In Greek, “telos” refers to the end, goal, or purpose. Aristotle believed that things in nature have an inherent telos, a natural end or perfection they are driven towards.
Examples:
- The final cause of a seed is to grow into a mature plant.
- The final cause of a knife is to cut.
- The final cause of a human, according to Aristotle, is to live a life of virtue and reason, achieving eudaimonia (flourishing or happiness).
Distinction from Efficient Cause: While the efficient cause is what brings something into being (the maker or creator), the final cause is the purpose for which it exists. For example, a sculptor is the efficient cause of a statue, but the statue’s final cause might be to represent a god or to be admired.
Final Cause in Nature: Aristotle extended the concept of final cause to natural objects, arguing that things in nature act for an end. For example, teeth exist for chewing, and rain exists for watering crops.
Eudaimonia: Aristotle believed that the final cause for human beings is to achieve eudaimonia, which involves living a life of virtue and reason.