Aristotle’s Theory of Change | Matter, Form & Privation | Potentiality & Actuality

Aristotle’s theory bridges the gap between the ideas of Heraclitus, Parmenides, and Plato, offering a practical way to understand the world’s changing nature, from the formation of a statue to the growth of an acorn. In this video, we break down Aristotle’s explanation of change, focusing on his three principles of change: matter, form, and privation. We also explore his concepts of potentiality and actuality, and see how together these apply to the natural world.

Perfect for University Courses & A-Level Philosophy & Ethics OCR & AQA or equivalent.

🔍 Key Points Covered:
The Problem of Change: Heraclitus vs. Parmenides vs. Plato
Aristotle’s Three Principles of Change: Matter, Form, and Privation
Hylomorphism: The inseparability of matter and form
Potentiality & Actuality: How objects become what they are meant to be
The role of the Final Cause in natural change
Resolving the Presocratic paradox of change

📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:44 The Problem of Change in Ancient Philosophy
02:20 Aristotle’s Solution: Matter, Form, and Privation
03:49 Hylomorphism: The Unity of Matter and Form
5:00 Potentiality & Actuality
06:18 Resolving the Presocratic Paradox
06:52 Conclusion

🔔 Subscribe for more insightful discussions on philosophical concepts!
👍 If this video helped clarify Aristotle’s theory of change, hit the like button!
🗨️ Comment below: Do you find Aristotle’s explanation of change more convincing than those of Heraclitus or Parmenides?

📷 Follow me on Instagram: (  / untanglephilosophy  )
🎵 Follow me on TikTok (  / untanglephilosophy  )

📺 Watch Next:    • PHILOSOPHY: Aristotle  

🔬 Sources and Further Reading:
Aristotle (2008) Physics. R. Waterfield (trans.). Reissued edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Barnes, J. (2000) Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gottlieb, A. (2016) The Dream of Reason. Revised edn. London: Penguin Books.
Koterski, J. (2002) Natural Law and Human Nature. (J. Koterski, Narr.) [Audiobook]. The Great Courses. https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Natural-...
Principe, L. M. (2002) History of Science: Antiquity to 1700. (L. M. Principe, Narr.) [Audiobook]. The Great Courses. thegreatcourses.com/courses/history-of-science-antiquity-to-1700
Roochnik, D. (2002) An Introduction to Greek Philosophy. (D. Roochnik, Narr.) [Audiobook] The Great Courses. thegreatcourses.com/courses/introduction-to-greek-philosophy

#Aristotle #Philosophy #Change #Potentiality #Actuality #ancientphilosophy