Aristotle is famous for distinguishing four causes that help explain reality and change. These four causes—which have come to be known as the efficient (the origin of change), material (that out of which), formal (what it is to be for something), and final cause (that for the sake of which)—are importantly different from one another. On the one hand, this means Aristotle was right to distinguish them. On the other hand, they are so different from each other that it is fair to question whether they should be grouped together under one notion in the first place.

On Tuesday, March 4, at 6 PM, join Morningside for a conversation with Taylor Pincin (Columbia) about the four causes, why they matter, and what might unify them.