| 释义 |
> as lemmasoccasional causes The four causes of Aristotle were the efficient cause, the force, instrument, or agency by which a thing is produced; the formal cause (see quot. 1678); the material cause, the elements or matter from which it is produced; the final cause, the purpose or end for which it is produced (see 4b). The First Cause, the original cause or Creator of the Universe; secondary causes, those derived from a primary or first cause. occasional causes in Cartesian philosophy: see occasional adj. and n., occasionalism n.< |