Aristotle vs Plato Essay -- Metaphysics,The Four Causes, Soul and Body

Aristotle is considered by many to be one of the most influential philosophers in history. As a student of Plato, he built on his mentors metaphysical teachings of things like The Theory of Forms and his views on the soul. However, he as well challenged them, introducing his own metaphysical ideas such as roleplay and potency, hylemorphism, and the four causes. He used these ideas to explain his account of the soul and the immateriality of intellect. Prior to Aristotle, philosophers like Parmenides and Heraclitus argued close to the existence of change. Aristotle used the terms act and potency to respond to Parmenides arguments about changes non-existence and bridge the gap between Parmenides and Heraclitus polar views. Aristotle used act and potency to examine numerous things such as, motion, causality and metaphysics. He explained that the act or actuality of a thing is its truest way of existence and that potency or authorisation is a things capability of bei ng, further than its current existence. For example, a soccer ball is in actuality on the field but in potentiality it can be kicked and enter the goal. According to Aristotles reasoning, the becoming or change of the soccer ball occurs when a potential is actualized. Though these changes occur, the thing itself stays the same. When the ball is kicked, it loses the actuality of being on the field and gains the actuality of being in the goal in turn, the ball then loses the potentiality of being in the goal and gains the potentiality of being on the field. Aristotle later explains that the full reality of a thing is when the actuality and potentiality of a thing are combined. He notes that while things can be pure potency, significance not actual or real, that there is... ...usible argument. I can see the understanding in both schools of thought. If I were to think logically I would pronounce Aristotle, because he based his conclusions on science and evidence. However, it is their views on the soul where I make my decision on who I (If I had to choose) agree with. I in person believe that the soul, my soul, is something that exists separate from my body. I believe that my body is a temporary and imperfect thing, but that my soul is immortal. I cannot say that I have love to this conclusion because it is the more plausible answer, but rather a belief in my faith that this life is temporary and all souls are eternal. While I understand that this view isnt completely in line with Platos, I think Platos is closer than Aristotles to mine.Aristotle. De Anima. Basic Works of Aristotle. Ed. Richard McKeon. New York random House, 1941.