Final cause is one of Aristotle's four forms of causation (the others being material, formal, and efficient). It is defined as the purpose of something. For example, the final cause of a pen is writing. For other uses, see Aristotle (disambiguation). ... This article is about causality as it is used in many different fields. ... The Material Cause, that out of which the statue is made, is the marble or bronze. ... Formal cause is a concept used by Aristotle, and originates from the idea of the form by Plato and Socrates. ... The efficient cause is a philosophical concept proposed by Aristotle. ...
With certain important modifications concerning the eternity of the material cause, the substantiality of certain formal causes of material entities, and the determination of the finalcause, the fourfold division was handed on to the Christian teachers of patristic and scholastic times.
The finalcause is to be sought for in the intention of the moulder.
The finalcause, like the efficient, is extrinsic to the effect, the latter being the cause of the existence of the former, and the former causing the latter, not in its existence, but as to its activity here and now exercised.
It embraces the account of causes in terms of fundamental principles or general laws, as the whole (macrostructure) is the cause of its parts (the whole-part causation).
The FinalCause is that for the sake of which a thing exists, or is done - including both purposeful and instrumental actions.
Causing each other reciprocally, as hard work causes fitness, and vice versa - although not in the same way or function: the one is as the beginning of change, the other as the goal.
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