A Consideration on Partial Causes: a Critical Approach on Inclusivism of the Four Causes

Common idea of partial causes is Aristotelian four causes. Yet, some thinkers have known other causes such as preparer, mu`idd, condition and lack of obstacle to be partial causes. Philosophers of the common Aristotelian idea have given some arguments against this view. In the paper, it is argued that the preparer may not be counted a cause; since contrary to cause and effect, it is separate from cause. Again, those of common idea have known the condition and the lack of obstacle as parts of the agent or the material cause; since they complete either the former or the latter and, therefore, they may not be considered as free causes. In other words, one may not agree with the principle, for freedom of causality is not possible in the case of partial causes. As for the cause of purpose as one of the four, there cannot be found any other effect for it except completing the causality of the agent and, therefore, it may not be counted as partial cause. Again, one can argue against causality of the lack of obstacle as it is nonexistential and, therefore, it is of no existential effect. Yet, as we know, by lack of obstacle is meant an existential thing and with this consideration, it can be counted as a partial cause.