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Rational-Political
Animal
JAMIAH DAWN BUGAYONG

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Who is
Aristotle?
-Ancient Greek philosopher
Aristotle, together with
Socrates and Plato, laid much
of the groundwork for western
philosophy.

-Philosopher and scientist who

is still considered one of the
greatest thinkers in politics,
psychology and ethics.

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THE FOUR CAUSES

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Material Cause
- Stands for the kind of matter used or present in an entity.

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Efficient Cause
- Refers to that person, situation or factor that changed or
transformed one thing into another.

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 Formal Cause
- Stands for the design, shape or form through which a thing assumes an identity.

- Signals the arrangement or organization of elements that conditions and sustains identity of a thing.

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 Final Cause
- Refers to the purpose of an
entity.

- An achieved final end or

final cause also means that
the material cause, efficient
cause and formal cause of a
thing all work well.

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The Theory of Human Nature

What is the material cause of man?

What is the efficient cause of a man?
What is a man’s formal cause?
What is the final cause of a human person?

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According to Aristotle, a human being has
a body and soul.

Body is the flesh and the soul is

the animating principle.

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Material Cause of Human

Material cause of a person is his body. If one wants to

understand how a human being physically operates, a
reliable knowledge of human body is needed.

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Efficient Cause of a Human

Aristotle proposes that man is the product of both

nature and nurture. This means that we have natural
capacities that are not perfect and we live solely based
on instincts.

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Nature Vs. Nurture
Nature
- Considers human beings with capacities that are unique to the
human species.
Nurture
- Can be improved and developed when one lives within a
society and community.

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Formal Cause of Man
Physically, a human being has a design or shape that makes it
possible for him to perform certain distinguishing activities.
Example:
An example of this design is the bi-pedal posture which allows man
to stand erect and walk in a human-like manner.

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If a person is physically incapacitated, can he
still be called a human being?

Man is a Rational Animal

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Final Cause of a Man

Happiness and Well Being

Because of a man’s rationality, Aristotle holds that
such an experience can take place if a man can
discipline his reason and his body.

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The Ideal Goal of a Human Person
The end/goal of a man as happiness and well-being is to be
interpreted as a character disposition- a mindset and an
attitude that is always ready to live-out the middle path. For
Aristotle, a virtue is a habit disposed towards action by
choice, it exhibits prudence, and it is defined by reason.

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Core Concepts of the Final Cause of Human
Existence
1. Freedom- A person’s maturity and capacity to own one’s decisions are
also invoked.
2. Middle Path- The need to balance or weigh the order of things or
events.
3. Prudence- The prudent person becomes ethically inclined as he gives
careful consideration to the angles, key players and ideas involved in every
situation.

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Is man a political-
animal?

Why Aristotle describe

man by nature a
“Political Animal”?

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 is
What Polit
ic a l?

When a man is planned to regulate the whole community,

who can take decision and made rules for them.

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Three Meanings of Political

1. The natural political behavior of man is attached to

the natural character of the polis.
2. It is compared to the bee and generally to all the
animals that live in herds.
3. Has the same meaning of the word “social”

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 What is an animal?

An animal focus on the needs or desires of one’s self . Who’s actions

display self-interest are often performed without conscious knowing.

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Political + Animal = Political Animal

Political animal word denotes , who is fight between

their groups and who can become a king for all, where
is taking decisions are showing their self interest or
social interest.

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According to Aristotle, man is by nature a
political animal. This means that he is destined
by his own nature to live a sociopolitical being.

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Purpose of Life According to Aristotle

Basic Needs Household Cities, States and Nations

Good Lives
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Man is by Nature a Political Animal

God Organized Beast

Society

Political Animal
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 Summary
Causes Key Concept in Cause in the context
Each Cause of man

Material Cause Material Component Human Body

Efficient Cause Source of Change Nature/Nurture
Formal Cause Organization/Design Design of the
Body/Reason
Final Cause Purpose/End Happiness and Well-
Being
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Summary
The purpose of life is to lead a “good life” (basic needs met, be
happy, etc.) If people organize themselves intelligently they
can promote living the “good life.” Organizing themselves
intelligently (being political) is unique to humans, therefore man
is by nature a political animal.

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Reference
Online Books:

Papadis D. Is man by nature a political and good animal, according to Aristotle?.

Retrieved from
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/14450/Papadis_Man_
%282006%29.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Other Online Reference:

https://www.biography.com/scholar/aristotle

https://slideplayer.com/slide/8701213/
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 Reference
Other Online Reference:

https://www.biography.com/scholar/aristotle

https://slideplayer.com/slide/8701213/

https://www.slideshare.net/PhilosophicalInvestigations/aristotles-four-causes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaMkI1z3q4Y

Photos:

https://iperceptive.com/authors/aristotle_quotes.html

https://moveymedia.com/socrates-plato-aristotle-quotes/
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Reference
Photos:

https://iperceptive.com/authors/aristotle_quotes.html

https://moveymedia.com/socrates-plato-aristotle-quotes/

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/subjects/what-can-you-do-politic
s-degree

https://stock.adobe.com/ee/search?k=safari+animal+silhouette

https://www.dreamstime.com/illustration/cartoon-city.html

https://healthyplacesindex.org/policy-actions/two-parent-households/ 33
Reference
Photos:

https://healthyplacesindex.org/policy-actions/two-parent-households/

http://www.wlac.edu/basic-needs/index.aspx

http://clipart-library.com/organize-cliparts.html

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/werewolf-wolf-monster-creature-3546899/

https://www.amust.com.au/2018/02/debating-the-clash-between-science-and-reli
gion/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaMkI1z3q4Y
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Reference
Photos:

https://duffieldtimber.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-timber-lumber-
and-wood

https://www.archdaily.com/catalog/us/products/22387/wooden-chair-blue-chair-
zeitraum

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/855261785465493885/

https://www.quora.com/What-could-you-do-with-a-chair-other-than-sitting-on-it

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/what-is-the-empty-chair-technique-
and-why-do-therapists-use-it/ 35
Reference
Photos:

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