Aristotle as an Idealist

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle is widely known as a realist in believing that the real exists in the sensible world and can be known through sense of perception or observation. But, there are others who would claim that he is a moderate realist in believing that the essences are one with ph...

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Main Author: Glenn G. Pajares
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Philippine Association of Institutions for Research, Inc. 2012-01-01
Series:JPAIR
Online Access:https://philair.ph/index.php/jpair/article/view/158
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author Glenn G. Pajares
author_facet Glenn G. Pajares
author_sort Glenn G. Pajares
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description The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle is widely known as a realist in believing that the real exists in the sensible world and can be known through sense of perception or observation. But, there are others who would claim that he is a moderate realist in believing that the essences are one with physical objects but are known universally and immaterially. Contrary to these popular beliefs, this paper discussed that Aristotle is neither a realist nor a moderate realist but an idealist. The study utilized descriptive critical analysis as its method. The author explained the basic principles and teachings of Aristotle on metaphysics, epistemology and dwelt on these basic principles and teachings as bases of criticism. This article presented Aristotle's belief that the true essences of things which he referred to as forms, essences or substance are metaphysical or universal which is beyond the physical and therefore beyond the grasp of sensation and observation. In other words, reality for him is only logical or mental in nature for it is not tangible. This also explained that Aristotle's theory of knowledge (epistemology) which employed the senses to grasp the essences of things is not possible.
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spelling doaj.art-2d492479125a47eab1f33b2294cf02662022-12-22T03:16:52ZengPhilippine Association of Institutions for Research, Inc.JPAIR2012-39812244-04452012-01-017113314310.7719/jpair.v7i1.158158Aristotle as an IdealistGlenn G. Pajares0University of San Jose-RecoletosThe ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle is widely known as a realist in believing that the real exists in the sensible world and can be known through sense of perception or observation. But, there are others who would claim that he is a moderate realist in believing that the essences are one with physical objects but are known universally and immaterially. Contrary to these popular beliefs, this paper discussed that Aristotle is neither a realist nor a moderate realist but an idealist. The study utilized descriptive critical analysis as its method. The author explained the basic principles and teachings of Aristotle on metaphysics, epistemology and dwelt on these basic principles and teachings as bases of criticism. This article presented Aristotle's belief that the true essences of things which he referred to as forms, essences or substance are metaphysical or universal which is beyond the physical and therefore beyond the grasp of sensation and observation. In other words, reality for him is only logical or mental in nature for it is not tangible. This also explained that Aristotle's theory of knowledge (epistemology) which employed the senses to grasp the essences of things is not possible.https://philair.ph/index.php/jpair/article/view/158
spellingShingle Glenn G. Pajares
Aristotle as an Idealist
JPAIR
title Aristotle as an Idealist
title_full Aristotle as an Idealist
title_fullStr Aristotle as an Idealist
title_full_unstemmed Aristotle as an Idealist
title_short Aristotle as an Idealist
title_sort aristotle as an idealist
url https://philair.ph/index.php/jpair/article/view/158
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