The role of efficient causation in Aristotle’s philosophy: ensuring the continuity and coherence of the cosmos within a teleological framework

Abstract

Aristotle’s philosophy provides a deeply interconnected causal framework that seeks to explain the cosmos as a coherent, unified system. This thesis has examined the roles of efficient and final causation within this framework, demonstrating their interdependence and their complementary contributions to Aristotle’s understanding of the natural world. By investigating the interaction of these causal principles across diverse domains—cosmology, meteorology, the motions of elements, and biology—this study has sought to address a fundamental question: How does Aristotle reconcile the teleological primacy of the final cause with the operational significance of efficient causation to achieve a unified explanation of the cosmos? This study demonstrates that the operation of efficient causation is indispensable in guaranteeing the spatial and temporal continuity of the cosmos. This continuity ensures that the universe remains an integrated and unified whole, preserving its intelligibility and coherence within Aristotle’s broader metaphysical and natural framework.