The argument below, based on the metaphysics of Leibniz, suggests that a) Mental acts such as thinking are primarily driven by final causes, while
b) The actions of physical bodies are primarily driven by efficient causation. [The current heated debate as to whether evolution is purposeful or not is just plain silly, as shown below, because life HAS to be to some extent purposeful]. Rocks vs flowers: Efficient causation vs purposeful causation According to Aristotle (and Leibniz) there are at least two forms of causation: (a) efficient causation, which is deterministic and is represented by mechanical laws It is metaphorically like being pushed from the past. So here time flows forward. (b) final causation, which is puposeful and goal-oriented, which is represented by living bodies. It is metaphorically like being pulled into the future. So here time flows backward. That efficient causation exists is given by Newton's Laws. That final causation exists is demonstrated by our ability to perform intentional or purposeful acts and by the survival of animals. Leibniz believed that most actions of living being are combinations of these two forms of action, that nature and the preexisting harmony insures that there is no conflict between the tow. For a more complete discussion of these topics, see: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz-causation/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to everything-list+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to everything-list@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.