Unmoved Mover
Introduction
The Unmoved Mover is a philosophical concept attributed to Aristotle, a prominent ancient Greek philosopher. The term refers to a primary cause or "mover" that is itself unmoved by any prior action. In Aristotle's philosophical system, the Unmoved Mover is a metaphysical principle that plays a pivotal role in his understanding of the universe and its fundamental laws.
Aristotle's Metaphysics
In Aristotle's Metaphysics, the Unmoved Mover is introduced as the ultimate cause of all motion and change in the universe. This concept is central to Aristotle's cosmological argument for the existence of a divine entity. According to Aristotle, the Unmoved Mover is eternal, perfect, and immaterial. It causes the movement of other things, not by being moved, but by being a source of inspiration and desire.
The Nature of the Unmoved Mover
The Unmoved Mover is not moved by any other entity. It is eternal, meaning it has no beginning or end, and it is immaterial, meaning it is not composed of matter and does not occupy space. The Unmoved Mover is also perfect, lacking potentiality, which Aristotle associates with matter and imperfection. Instead, the Unmoved Mover is pure actuality, completely realizing all its potentialities.
The Unmoved Mover and the Cosmos
In Aristotle's cosmology, the Unmoved Mover is the cause of the eternal circular motion of the celestial spheres, which in turn move the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. The Unmoved Mover moves these spheres as an object of love or desire, causing them to move in an effort to emulate its perfection. This motion is then transmitted to the terrestrial elements, causing all change and motion in the world.
The Unmoved Mover as a Final Cause
In Aristotle's four-fold schema of causality, the Unmoved Mover is identified as the final cause, the purpose or end for which a thing exists. The Unmoved Mover, as the highest good and the ultimate object of desire, provides the final cause or purpose for all motion and change in the universe.
Reception and Influence
The concept of the Unmoved Mover has had a profound impact on subsequent philosophical and theological thought. It has been adopted, adapted, and critiqued by various thinkers, including medieval Islamic, Jewish, and Christian philosophers, who incorporated it into their own philosophical and theological systems.